“How Naomi Osaka’s Loss Gives Tokyo Its Latest Olympic Setback”
Being Japanese and having an admiration for athletes, I was always a fan of Naomi Osaka. A person so kind and humorous yet resilient representing Japan made me proud to be part of the nation. Watching the Olympics has always been a tradition in my family and especially this year with Japan hosting it, I could not have been more eager to enjoy the speculation. I was living in Japan for the past 9 month and even considered staying longer just to stay for the Olympics. However, hearing this unbelievable news of Osaka being out in the third round despite ranking No. 2 in the world - it was shocking. Seeing her lit the cauldron and having so much recognition in the world must have been a lot of pressure and I sympathize with her. As the article states “she is a symbol of a more accepting and multicultural Japan, a voice for Black America, women’s equality and athlete power, and she is a budding fashion icon who has appeared on the cover of Vogue and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.” She is not only a world athlete but an activist as well. And I’m proud to be a fan of hers.
"‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years"
I remember getting up earlier than everyone in my house and sneaking into my parents’ room to retrieve their iPad. I would sit quietly next to the WiFi router, ensure that the iPad was set to low volume, and open YouTube to watch "Arthur". In those stolen hours, and over many years, I watched multiple episodes of Arthur, and his friends navigating their lives.
My life was very different from those of the kids on the show. They lived in a small town in North America with a school, a treehouse, and quiet roads to bike around. By contrast, I lived in a noisy Indian city, with a school several miles away. Outside my house, were loud, traffic-filled streets. If I tried building a treehouse, men would come by asking for paperwork. These opposing conditions did not mean that I did not relate to the characters. I may not have gotten to go to my yard to play a game of dust and broom hockey, but I knew how Buster felt being left out because of his asthma.
When I read the article, I was initially disappointed. But it did prompt me to reflect on my favourite show. Why I and so many others adore this show even as we grow. I started watching "Arthur" when I was 6 years old and I still find myself, at age 17, watching it after a stressful week. "Arthur" has been running for 25 years now. Many of the kids who watched it when it first aired, watch it today with their kids. Even though "Arthur" is ending, the stories it tells are timeless.
After Months as a Covid Success Story, China Tries to Tame Delta
In this article, the word "battle" triggered my memory as I read In each battle, there were sacrifices. In my nation's case, it was the sacrifice of personal freedom, again.
I remembered reading students' petitions in Yangzhou, who hold tickets to America after years of preparation. Now, with the epidemic in Yangzhou province and the renewed policy, their future, together with the flight, will fly away without them. I could empathize with the frustration, but the result would never change. As a 9th-grader, I was couch-sleeping at a friend's house in Virginia when my school shut down while my parents were exhausted in finding me a ticket home. I returned to a hotel lockdown while reading radical nationalism comments criticizing international students for being unpatriotic by returning home.
In each battle, there were sacrifices, and it was hard for international students not to feel like a sacrifice as the battle went on. However, was the sacrifice worth the cost?
I shared Yanzhong's concern about China's "containment-based" strategy in the long run. The post-pandemic world would have to figure out a collaborative way to deal with the global health emergencies than a complete lockdown. I hope that day would come sooner.
The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time
Before the pandemic, all of us lived interesting lifestyles. We would go out, meet friends, play sports, go to school, the gym, etc. However, when covid struck our lifestyles were all placed on halt as we no longer could do any of these very basic and natural activities. Everything changed and most of our time was now spent alone or with the people in our home. The article shows that nearly 70% of your day was spent alone. We began spending more time on our phones, social media, and video games as that were the only way to talk to family and friends. This isolation as a result of the quarantine can have many different effects on people from depression, a change in physical qualities as gyms closed and most outside activities such as sports ended, and how we spoke to one another as this prolonged time spent alone can lead to a negative change in people's social skills. During quarantine, I would sleep long hours, watch Netflix, talk to friends, and play video games for nearly the whole day. This could sound enjoyable to some people but when I was living this moment I felt very lonely, empty, and bored. Now that quarantine is partially over I have learned a lot about myself and how to spend my time more wisely. How important it is to discipline yourself when placed in these situations, that you need to continue to work on yourself and to live your life to the fullest with the people around you.
“Even the Pope Has Prayed to Venezuela’s Beloved ‘Doctor of the Poor’”
After some interactions with the word Venezuela through articles and lectures, the title of the article caught my attention with familiarity. However, as I read through the article, I realized that an unprecedented culture was deeply rooted in Venezuela. Due to the hyperinflation in Venezuela, I heard of no more and no less than the economic state of Venezuela through magazine articles, debate topics, and examples in lectures. This article, however, taught me a different perspective of the country, which I might never learn through other mediums.
I once had an opportunity to do some research on Venezuela. I learned that the people couldn't be properly treated due to the inferior medical condition. However, the medical culture of this country seemed to be the panacea for the patients. All the miraculous events written in the article made me awe. A patient who had 95% chance of permanent brain damage was healed without any recognizable symptoms of brain damage. Who would not be surprised by that?
When I scrolled down to the end of the article, I realized that a country that is called to be hopeless was full of hope.The cultural faith seemed to overcomes all of the inferior medical conditions. On one hand, I felt lucky for the environment I’m living in, and on the other, I felt deep respect for Dr. Hernandez and the Venezuelans whose beliefs are saving lives.
“The Pandemic hurt these students the most” by Sarah Mervosh
Whether it be the glitchy faces appearing across a screen, the constant distractions of household sounds, or the lack of physical interaction, it’s clear that the pandemic has negatively impacted students. Ms. Mervosh writes, “In math, Latino third graders performed 17 percentile points lower in spring 2021 compared with the typical achievement of Latino third graders in the spring of 2019.” Suggesting that the performance of students is nowhere near what it was before.
It’s challenging to concentrate on schoolwork when we’re all secluded to a tiny area. Although my house isn’t cramped, I can still hear the nonstop beat of my brother’s footsteps racing up and down the stairs. The sound from numerous meetings, and the loud laughter echoes through our dwelling. With all these noises ringing in my mind, there’s no room left to focus on the tasks needed to be completed.
The pandemic cut off all ties of physical communication. As someone who feeds off human interaction, this period of time was extremely exhausting. Instead of schoolwork being an effortless experience, it quickly turned into a strenuous and demanding process. At most times I felt reluctant to stay productive, but I was able to push through.
Evidently, COVID has harmed a lot of the society, however it has hurt students like me the most. Not only by hindering our attention and focus, but more importantly, it has severely impacted productivity.
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‘This Isn’t How We’re Supposed to Live’: Residents Flee as Dixie Fire Surges
When I thought of wildfires, I used to think of that scene in The Hunger Games when the gamemakers set part of the forest on fire so that Katniss would have to confront the other tributes. Now, after seeing news clips of fires that were each “some of the worst in U.S. history” for several years in a row, I think of towering clouds of smoke, orange skies, and scorched ground stretching out to the horizon. My mom was a firefighter in the west when she was in her 20s, and every time I see articles like this one, I’m reminded of her stories.
What caught my attention the most in this article was the quote in the title. The fuller version: “This isn’t how we’re supposed to live in this country,” said by 75-year-old Marva Stewart. This quote and others in the article made me think of the false sense of security that many people (including myself) share relating to climate change. Conditions in the western U.S. and all over the world are getting hotter and drier. Huge, devastating fires are becoming the rule instead of the exception, yet many of us feel removed from the issue. Maybe it’s because we live in an area with a mild fire season, or maybe it’s just because the problem hasn’t reached our doorstep. But in the future, the nightmare residents of Plumas County are living through could become anyone's reality.
Americans suffer pandemic whiplash as leaders struggle with changing virus
As an American feeling the full effect of the pandemic, I must say that after having read this article, I am concerned about the CDC’s approach. As stated on the website, the CDC “conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation.” However, the CDC advised fully vaccinated citizens that wearing masks in public spaces is no longer necessary while knowing that places will just drop their mask mandates. Even though I know that the science behind it is solid, I am troubled by the CDC’s logic. The problem is that unvaccinated Americans can simply claim that they’ve been vaccinated and not wear a mask. Add a more contagious Delta variant to the mix and all of a sudden, cases are booming again in America. And while I know that the CDC couldn’t have predicted the Delta variant to be as serious, cases wouldn’t be rising as fast had everyone still been wearing masks. The government also bears some responsibility for the recent spike in cases. With Republicans and Democrats disagreeing about COVID-19 policies, it sends a clear message to the citizens: COVID-19 is political. As a result, many Republican supporters won’t wear masks, making them more vulnerable to the virus and further dampening America’s efforts to defeat the virus. I believe that the only way to defeat COVID-19 once and for all is for us to come together and work as one. Otherwise, COVID-19 is likely here to stay.
"No Work, No Food: Pandemic Deepens Global Hunger"
Covid- 19 has changed everyone's life either completely or drastically. The world as we once knew it is no more, businesses had to shut down, people lost their lives, and more people now live in fear. Due to the global pandemic and more cases of Covid arriving, this article grabs my attention because I wonder how third world countries are affected and their economy.
Specifically I don’t connect with the country, but having family in other 3rd world countries such as Haiti, you can get some similarity of how the pandemic can have a negative outcome on everyone's life.
Before reading this piece I thought about how in schools we learn of the struggle at times for food in Africa. Just like it is with any other country if you have no money. Not only was there a food shortage, less people were now working which created hunger hot spots in not only Africa, but Central America, Afghanistan and North Korea as well.
Reading this article helps me accept the fact of how lucky people in the U.S can have it compared to other 3rd world countries. Other countries aren’t as financially stable as ours or have the government to try and help them tackle the problem head on.
When I was in 6th grade, all I wanted to do was sit in a shady corner during recess and watch funny YouTube videos on my phone; on the bus ride home, I’d often sit in the backseat and scroll through messages from my friends. When I got home, I would take the first opportunity to jump on my computer and play some Minecraft.
When Covid hit, I became even more of a phone junky.
I was thrilled when I learned that schools were closing and I could stay home all day. I instantly started spending longer stretches of time on my computer, not only for school and homework, but to pass the time by binging Game of Thrones. But as my eyes began to strain, I should’ve taken it as a warning sign. But I didn’t, choosing to plow on with my now routine screen time, so it came as a great surprise to find out that electronics could be so detrimental to my health.
Rereading Price’s article titled, “Putting Down Your Phone May Help You Live Longer,” it now seems so foolish that I blindly succumbed to the lure of screens when they were clearly unhealthy. I always had a vague idea of the dangers of staring at a computer for a long time, but I kept them tucked away in the back of my mind, buried beneath hours of Minecraft and YouTube. I’m now concerned that I’ve become the skeleton tapping mindlessly on his phone depicted in the illustration for the article.
The next time I’m glued to my phone, I’m determined to set it down on a table and go out to meet people and places in person.
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“The Price They Pay for Your Perfect Vacation Photo”
Though I live in the city, I've been paying close attention to marine life conservation. This article depicts another selfish way we humans use to treat marine animals. You may think well, those savage sea turtles bite our fingers! However, we come close to them in the first place; plus, “what this food source means for the physical well-being and natural behaviour of not just these turtles, but other marine creatures, from tiny reef fish to giant sharks.”
Would everything be different when you place yourself in the shoes of sea turtles?
Swimming, swimming, swimming; I don’t know how many miles I’ve travelled and to where. Weak and hungry, I feel the tearing pain every time I paddle because my flipper is injured by bomb fishing. Along my way, I see fish trapped in gloves and seals tangled in discarded fishing nets as if a ghost is catching them. Their blood is dripping from this death trap. Those on the beach have no luck either; more and more albatrosses are winded in elastic straps of masks.
Drifting, drifting, drifting; suddenly, a ship comes by with thunderous buzzing like a drill, which is followed by the burning smell of oil. Do you know that you humans fish too often that many marine species have very few offspring? We know humans want wealth, but this can’t be the reason why you rip turtle shells from us or why you cut fins from sharks. Do you know your beauty and luxury come from an exchange of our lives?
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/22/world/americas/argentina-nonbinary-identification.html
“Argentina Formally Recognizes Nonbinary People, a Latin American First”
As a 16-year old girl who identifies as queer, I know a lot about the queer community and its struggles. The internet helps me learn a lot about different identities. Usually, I feel safe and understood on social media. But, when it comes to the “real” world, I feel as though the queer community’s struggles and identities are often overlooked and dismissed.
This article about governmental recognition of genderqueer people has caught my attention and made me very happy. It describes the addition of another gender option other than male or female on Argentina’s national identity documents or passports. From now on, nonbinary or gender non-conforming people can have their gender slot filled with ‘X’ instead of male or female.
Even though this event might seem small or unimportant for some people, in my opinion this step is significant. Governmental recognition can help queer and nonbinary people feel safer, validated and seen. It is an important step towards equality and acceptance of queer people in both public and formal spaces. Although the entire world has a long way to go towards full equality, even small steps such as governmental acceptance and recognition are celebrated as victories.
“Inside Mexico’s Most Terrified City” is a story that is not unique to one city. My mother grew up in Mexico and has told me many stories about her experience. I grew up hearing about the devastating impact of drugs and cartel wars that terrorized her home city of Nuevo Laredo. Those who can afford to leave do so, but those who stay adapt to a life of violence. Family members have disappeared, mass graves discovered and the military patrols the streets. Like the story of Fresnillo, all of this sounds horrifying. However, what I found most disturbing about Lopez’s article was how drug gangs dragged a 15 year old out of his home to be executed. I wish we could know more about that boy and why his life ended so tragically. This scene reminded me of a book I read recently called “Wolf Boys” by Dan Slater which describes the life of two teenagers living on the border. They grow up in poor neighborhoods and are targeted by cartels to join their workforce. These kids are desperate for money and a sense of belonging. They are swayed by the promise of money and respect from peers and ultimately drawn to the life of drugs and become killers. It is critical for people to understand that these policy failures have a devastating impact on the lives of children and it is incumbent on all of us to find a way to help them.
If there’s one thought that can push me into unbridled panic, it’s the realization that American democracy is not shaping up to be as brilliant as I had been promised it would be. We saw as much on January 6th, and we continue to see the far-right ideologies behind the attack manifest as legislatures pass policy to reinforce systemic inequality.
Farhad Manjoo writes in “What if Humans Just Can’t Get Along Anymore?” that it is perhaps too early to negate the potential for progress entirely. After all, economist Elinor Ostrom found through her research that people have historically been willing to put aside their differences for the collective good if the necessary institutions are in place. Why can’t we do that now?
It’s simple. We lack the institutions because conservatism, which nearly half of Americans still subscribe to, is inherently opposed to replacing antiquated systems with modern ones. They fear change. For as long as the left attempts to entertain the right’s demands to reject equality and reason, no progress will be made.
I am losing hope. I am tired of watching politicians play pedantic games. They’re not the ones who are going to deal with unprecedented climate change, or a population more inclined to believe conspiracies than experts. They’re not the ones who are aware that they will suffer, but are nearly powerless to stop it. They’re the ones who can afford to be reckless.
But I am not. And so I stand on the side that cares.
Do you?
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/01/opinion/aging-nursing-homes.html
“They just want to go home.” I often hear this from my mom, an occupational therapist at a rehab facility where some patients stay for long-term treatment. Many of these patients, she says, miss their old lives and long for independence. Of course, sending them home would be unsafe. But what if the solution is to change these facilities so that patients will feel like they are home?
This is what places like Green House are doing: providing seniors with a community and compassionate care. Here, residents have one aide who helps with all their needs in their private, dorm-like room, rather than several busy nurses rushing in and out of their curtained-off corner of hospital-like quarters. The significantly lower rates of Covid-19 cases and higher rates of approval speak in favor of this system, too.
But as Ms. Cottle explains, smaller, unconventional facilities like Green House are more expensive to establish and maintain. So unfortunately, many of these nonprofit nursing homes are sinking into pools of for-profit companies, which are in turn draining into large corporations. To keep the elderly from being lost in a collapsing system, we need to pay attention to their needs. After reading this article, I can see that change is needed to morph the modern nursing home into an ideal, homey atmosphere. In the meantime, maybe the best thing we can do is reach out with the compassion that residents so need.
"She Changed Astronomy Forever. He Won the Nobel Prize For It."
“It didn’t bother me. I was actually pleased. I was really pleased that pulsars were considered important enough to rate a Nobel Prize.” Well, it certainly bothered me.
She was a true scientist, one who valued her work over recognition. Her discovery of pulsars in 1967 was significant in the realm of astronomy; however, the fact that she was a woman caused the credit to go to her male colleagues.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell is one of my inspirations. She did not let herself become discouraged by the sexism she faced in the workplace and continued to research, eventually leading her to the information she was searching for. Even after her discovery, she was put in the role of "the little girl, sexually attractive role" by the popular press. Hearing of the injustices she faced made my blood boil. She deserved more recognition for her accomplishments instead of her looks.
Women have a long history of being overlooked and underestimated in what they do, it happens even today. It's important to understand that woman are just as capable as men, even in male-dominated fields such as computer science and astronomy. I hope that soon we will achieve true equality in the workplace and that what happened to Burnell will not happen again.
What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?
Through projections and holograms, artificial intelligence technologies allow developers to digitally recreate a person, most commonly the deceased. The extreme precision in appearance and personality can be attributed to utilizing the person’s ‘information corpse’—social media profiles, images, voice recordings, and more.
While it may seem meaningful to have a conversation with deceased loved ones, I think that it can lose its value by disregarding the mutual aspect of human communication. More importantly, fleeting moments of human life should be appreciated rather than held onto in artificial forms.
The artificial “reconstruction” of a person might hinder our ability to reconcile with our loss. If one were to start seeing a hologram as a living person through these digital interactions, there might be detrimental psychological effects similar to the Capgras Syndrome, thus affecting their ability to communicate with and trust loved ones in their life.
Moreover, the possible implications of these technologies have been explored in my favorite Black Mirror episode, “Be Right Back,” where a woman attempts to interact with an artificial version of her deceased boyfriend but finds this experience distressing. Perhaps what we can do to honor death is to give the bereaved time and respect as they learn to deal with this poignant process through healthy grieving and come to terms with the new reality of their own volition.
‘Sex Talks’ Should Start Earlier Than You Think
“Daddy, how do people get pregnant?” Ten-year-old me looked up at her father as she asked the question parents dreaded. That wasn’t the first time I’ve asked, but this time, my father answered, “Well, they would, umm, touch a part of their…bodies together. Their private parts.” He whispered the last part as if afraid someone would overhear.
Ten-year-old me didn’t know that a sex talk without any mention of “consent,” “birth-control,” or even the names of the “private parts” wasn’t enough. Instead, I had to find out what sex actually is a year later when I saw a pornographic ad.
Shocked and horrified, I thought the sex looked disgusting, just like something my father would be embarrassed about. Ashamed of what I saw, I never talked about the ad. It took me years to find the courage to search and find out that sex isn’t disgusting. It took me even longer to learn that things like consent and birth-control existed.
So, should parents have “sex talks” with their kids at a young age? They definitely should. Without adequate information, I felt ashamed at my sexuality. No child should ever feel that way. While some argue that educating children increases the likelihood of sexual behaviors, I think that knowledge would actually help children make better decisions. Knowing that sex is a natural, enjoyable process and that there are consequences and preventative measures would help children develop a healthier approach to sex.
“Why People Are So Awful Online”
As an avid Tiktok user, I see people getting put down on a daily basis. Through the comment section or even duets, people will openly criticize users, picking apart their arguments and also character. Even this comment I'm posting is being double checked for civility. Just last night, I watched a TikTok on a dog struggling to walk down the stairs. This seemingly innocent video led many to leave comments like “He can’t walk properly because his nails are too long” or “He keeps looking back to you for help and you’re just laughing at him”. In fact, there were so many comments offering unwanted criticism that the user had to post another video asking people to stop leaving hate comments on her videos. As Gay argued in her essay, we live in a society where people are, in a way, abusing their power and voices online. In hopes of bringing about change and doing good, people will harass and condemn those who they deem are immoral or not doing enough to better society. We claim that our intentions are to incite change and while our intentions may be pure, the way we're trying to promote change is just outright harmful. We can clearly see that in the dog TikTok I mentioned previously. People blamed the dog's struggle on the owner's supposed neglect and cruelty when in reality, the dog is just clumsy and awkward. In the end, we as online users need not only be more mindful of what we post online but also try to acknowledge the effect our words have.
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set"
I've never really been an athlete in my life. Nowadays, sitting in my chair, browsing the internet, getting my fill of entertainment and information from various social media, has been my routine through this pandemic. Yet something inside me resonated anyway when I read about Bile's choice.
"Don't scroll past this!""Retweet this or you're a horrible person!" "If you have x in your profile, you're y!" "Don't listen to them, they have z profile picture!" When I use social media, I'm bombarded with social controversies and pressure to take action. To engage with these posts marks me as one political orientation. To ignore them marks me as another. It's a lot of information overload, and it's terrible for my mental health. But, like in the Olympics, quitting is taking the easy way out, helping the enemy.
Biles taught me something. "In a social-media-driven world, young elite athletes have a new power, too: They have more control of their own careers, and the narratives around them... This is what change looks like: choice." Biles knew that by offering herself this choice, it would be spun every which way by the media to fit their narratives. Yet Biles allowed herself to be a normal person, existing outside of the controversy pushed onto her.
I've decided I will not burn myself out feeling guilty about things that I can't change. Thank you, Biles, for telling me that it's okay to rest and be a human, not a symbol.
"Who decides what a champion should wear?"
“Please put a sweatshirt over that, sweetie. You don’t want to cause a distraction.” my middle school math teacher told me. A common occurrence for many of the girls in my grade, I had just been reprimanded for wearing an outfit deemed “too inappropriate”. I didn’t understand what made the school administration think that having to see my bare shoulders would prevent the boys in my class from being able to finish their math problems.
I discovered that for the rest of my life, my body and the bodies of other women around me would be weaponized against us. Even in the Tokyo Olympics, filled with the best women athletes from around the world, their bodies are still being policed. Friedman gives us the devastating stories of the German women who were cut from the qualifying rounds for the unitard they chose to wear and the Norwegian beach handball players who were fined for choosing to wear shorts that they simply felt comfortable in. Friedman also brings up a very interesting point: women are objectified in sports because sports have been “built on the foundation of gender differentiation”. This made me realize that women did not start on a level playing field, and the effects of that remain to this day.
It infuriates me how these Olympic women were not seen for their accomplishments in their sport but instead for their choice of clothing, similar to how I was seen as a distraction in my math class instead of an eager student.
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“The Black Nerds Redefining the Culture”
The first time I realized the situation of blacks was through the news reported in 2020. In this news, a policeman pressed his knee on the neck of a black man named George Freud. Although George said he could not breathe, the police turned a deaf ear, which eventually led to the death of the black man. It reminds me the documentary I watched in Neflix--the 13th, and makes me realize the unreasonable torture suffered by blacks at that time. No matter what the police do, their violence seems to be silently forgiven.
Compared with reality, the portrayal of blacks in the media shows their status as well. As the article says, blacks and nerds are like cognitive dissonance. Like the movie I watched called Nosedive in the Black Mirror, blacks are supporting actors, and their scores are always very low in this film. However, there is always a question challenging the stereotype I’ve been holding in my mind : Are all blacks the same? After I watched the Black Panther, I realized an enormous breakthrough Marvel made in challenging the “tradition” that white people are always protagonists. It shows that blacks are not the same, and each of them has a distinct personality.
As the author said, black people are “complex amalgams” like everyone else. I think no one can define a person only by his/her skin color. Also, I believe there will be more Black Panther in the future and more people thinking that media needs the voice of blacks.
Title: “Nasa and Boeing Postpone Launch of Star liner Space Craft”
Author: Kenneth Chang
Date: Aug 3, 2021
Nasa and Boeing teamed up to take some Boeing Engineers to Work but they ran into a problem with the Valve in the Software System which ended off to no one going into space. Nasa then later scheduled the launch date to Tuesday but then later ran into the valve hardware issues again which scheduled the launch date to Wednesday. Then on Thursday Russia launched their space craft into space called Nauka that Nauka’s thrusters started firing again in space which pushed the International Space Station making it revolve 1.5 times before gaining control of the space station an hour later. The next Launch opportunity was Tuesday Afternoon. My opinion is that NASA are doing a great job with the Star liner Space Craft but then some problems NASA had to overcome with new problems cutting their path to success.
https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20210705/china-slackers-tangping/dual/
The term Involution has been the center of discussion on Chinese media lately. It is taken to refer to an unhealthy pattern of inward competitiveness. My international high school in Beijing is a microcosm of the Chinese society. I say so as I begin to see, with regret, more and more 10th graders taking the SAT 2-3 times to hit 1500, and 9th graders previewing their junior-year courses, voluntarily giving up the time to enjoy their youth. I notice that they move more from fear of being outcompeted in the final race of College Application, rather than from true passion and love for learning.
Like tidal currents, the bars of the lifelong competition among Chinese people rise unceasingly, making the race of armies of swimmers to the indiscernible narrow shore of Defined Success only the more arduous. A trend of “lying flat” has lately emerged among those like Luo Huazhong, tired of swimming their butts off to keep up with the unidirectional current, who decide to sit back and live like sessile starfishes.
However, our options should not be seen as being binary only. Everyone is different. In the ocean, whales, squids, and countless other organisms make up the beautiful, diverse ecosystem. Similarly, the “shore” that everyone rushes for is not the only destination for self-actualization.
"Simone Biles and the Power of ‘No’"
"No." Two letters. One syllable. One of the easiest words in the English language, yet it has always been impossible for me to say.
I don't like risking confrontation, compliance is much easier, even if it isn't in my best interest. Someone needs help with homework? I help, even if I fall behind on my own homework. Someone wants me to wait for them in the halls? I wait, even if I am late to my own class. I keep my head low, nodding in agreement to every demand.
Unlike me, Simone Biles has the eyes of an entire country on her back. She carries the weight of a million disappointments, the risk of a thousand confrontations. And yet, miraculously, she was able to say "no."
Simone is not expected to prioritize herself. The millions of eyes watching her are gazing through a screen. None of them will ever really know her, they will only know the gold medals that she wins. They see her as Simone Biles, the vessel for American glory, not Simone Biles, the woman.
Then she hits them with "no," an upset that will be remembered throughout history. The moment when Simone reminded the world that she has agency.
So why should I cave to people who don't have my best interests at heart? Simone Biles has taught me that I don't owe anything to people who don't expect me to prioritize myself. I have agency, too, and it is my right to assert it.
This article reminded me that at the end of the day, "no" is just a word. I should say it more often.
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Dear creators of the New York Times
The article I chose for my summer reading is called “The Danger of Failing Grades”. It talks about what happened to the education system over the pandemic, and how it has drastically changed. Something else it talks about is why so many students are failing, and what are some ways to help students get back on track.
One of the reasons I choose this article is because it talks about how throughout the pandemic, and virtual school, that more than half the kids around the world failed classes at really alarming rates. It said in Houston about half of highschool students got an F in the fall 2020 semester. I like that it talked about Houston because it made people aware that students grades are changing, and it is up to the public school system to try and help them. That's why schools have now said they are allowing students to make up work, take classes over, or are allowing summer school to kids who want it.
The last reason I like this article is because when it talks about why students have failed, they don't just say that all students are lazy. They went and found actual facts on why students grades are dropping. For example two of the reasons why students grades are dropping is because of financial reasons, and physical and mental health issues. These are real problems that people have, and it's good to know that people are acknowledging problems that people have had, or may still have.
"In Praise of Congee," in praise of the sloppy, slushy pot of goo that constituted my — and the author's — childhood. Such magic in slightly altered ratios of grain and water. Of the scattered solid and clear liquid. Grandma taught me to stick a pinky above the rice. The water should just about touch the first knuckle. Yet congee, or 'zhou' as we call it, frees the food-maker. Pour a liberal load of water down, and the absent-minded cook is bestowed a pleasantly surprising viscosity each time.
There is something overtly medicinal, plainly calming, modestly magical about congee, so much so that a habitual consumer of this substance will swear to you that they do not know why they decide to make it. It just happens that it is the first thing on their mind, the day after a heavy meal of Filet mignon and truffles.
Reading the article made me miss congee and the happy moments of my childhood. I second the author's points about congee's presence in all cultures, its place as a cultural heritage, and how it bridged the family separation from the pandemic. Yet for now, as I watch my kettle-pot steam up with the aroma of homeliness, allow me to float in a longing for an "authentic past." Forget the symbolism. Taste the mush, and feel the warmth that embraces you inside-out.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/20/magazine/in-praise-of-congee.html
'My Sister Remembers Her Past Life. Somehow, I Believe Her.'
Death is woven into so many aspects of our lives, intricately so, even with the dead bird I see on the sidewalk or the ant I crushed under my sneaker sole. I wondered, what happens after you die and what should we do about it?
I’m an atheist. The only reasons why I know about the different beliefs of what happens after death were due to my diverse friends and the article Ms Aridi wrote about her sister’s freakishly on-point memories of her past life. Yet I still think, even if I don’t believe in those beliefs, I believed something many people of religion believe in- our current actions reflect on our death and our future. Why?
Because to me, death is one of the occurrences still shrouded in an air of mystery. It’s fascinating, yet malefic. If I enjoy all the experiences that are available to me, when I die, what is there to lose? Maybe reincarnation and karma are real and my future life will be profiting off my current actions. If heaven and hell are real, acting positively and being kind will help me get to heaven. No matter the explanation for the aftermaths of the phenomenon we call death, acting kind and living happily will only benefit you, not harm you.
Now I must ask you, dear reader, the same question that ignited the spark in me that propelled me to do what makes me and the people around me happy and content with their life: what do you think happens after death and what should we do about it?
1
“How TV Went From David Brent to Ted Lasso”
“How TV Went From David Brent to Ted Lasso” details the shift of TV shows from being “ironic” to “sincere” over the last twenty years. Poniewozik explores the transition from antiheroes to extraordinarily kind protagonists.
As I read, I reflected on how my own taste in shows had changed from being obsessed with emulating Larry David’s "Curb Your Enthusiasm" persona and Walter White in "Breaking Bad", to being inspired by "Ted Lasso".
When I was fourteen, I admired the nonconformist attitude of Larry David(the character) and related to Walter White’s desire for purpose and influence. I found their personalities respectable and even worth imitating. Of course, as I soon learned from those around me, being an uncaring, selfish misanthrope only made me a terrible person. Larry David is just a “jackass” and Walter White a maniac willing to sacrifice everything for his selfish desire for power. While antiheroes illustrate the consequences of evil, it is characters like Ted Lasso who demonstrate the possibilities of kindness.
I was initially repelled by Ted Lasso, his never ending optimism was tiring and his open nature made him cringey. Yet, Lasso’s extraordinary kindness is exactly what makes him admirable and worth learning from. Being selfish and irresponsible is easy, but unfulfilling. Whereas “Ted Lasso” reaches into the hearts of the audience and implores them to be good despite the challenges faced.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
We, as a modern society, are incredibly driven by the desire for two things: Perfection, and results. The Olympic Games are a shining example of this in athlete culture, where perfect results become the only thing that matters.
What this culture does not take into account is that these athletes are human. They are no different than the average person, they breathe and cry and blink just like we do. Simone Biles, someone whose purpose was made to be perfect results, is a person. She had a mental block, she had fears, and she knew she could not compete safely or effectively to bring home a medal for her country. Biles might have near-superhuman strength physically, but mentally she is just a human being, with human feelings.
Many people ignore this fact, and put athletes on a pedestal they themselves could never be able to stand on. Biles withdrew from Olympic events with good reason, instead of pushing herself and risking her physical safety and the U.S.'s chances at winning the gymnastics events. In the past, athletes tended to just push through any serious mental health issues they had, and often it would result in them messing up terribly in front of an impossibly large audience. Maybe it is time to value the mental state of an athlete, as we do their physical state. Not all injuries are external, but all injuries deserve care.
https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-be-happy
“How to Be Happy”
These days being happy all the time is hard. Most of the time we put on facades instead of figuring out how to change our spirit to be happy and enjoy life. It is so easy to always focus on the negative. It is effortless to recall all the things you wish you could change or think negative thoughts about yourself, trust me I would know. I can recall the countless nights I would spend staring at my ceiling hating myself for thinking badly about myself and my personality. I was always so hard on myself that it became a vicious cycle. Conquering these thoughts by recognizing them and talking to my friends about my insecurities have helped me to have more confidence in myself and also lead to more positive thoughts. Keeping a journal has also helped me be more content with my life. Everyday when I am getting ready for bed, I write down my favorite parts of my day and also things that I can do to improve myself. Sometimes I even meditate beforehand to really reflect on my day to get my thoughts straight. I have also found that working out, putting my phone down, and reading books have also helped me have a more positive mindset.
"I No Longer Want to Shop"
"Wh-What? Is this it?"
Recently, I bought a backpack online, and this was truly the ugliest piece of luggage I have ever seen. With the rough material, strings falling off from time to time between stitchings, and the appalling color just make it more like a toy than the intended "fashionable" tool.
I often have mixed feelings when shopping online—scrolling through all the products takes hours and hours of my time hoping to find "the one" just to re-experience the joy of shopping in person. The thought of simply roaming through my favorite stores, hands swaying on clothing racks, after minutes and minutes of search, and finally finding a piece of clothing I like, then contemplating over whether to buy it or not—makes my mind swirl with joy like stumbling upon a mountain full of diamonds.
One good thing that came out of this pandemic though, as Mackinnon says, is that the pandemic also gave us a pause to reflect on what we can happily live without; my shopping nowadays always has a goal or intention. Kaplan, the author of this article, writes that such emerging causes lead people to go to specific places and knowing exactly what they want to buy.
Nowadays, I realized that there are so many clothes and accessories even from my own closet, all the drawers and shelves are stuffed with unworn and forgotten clothing, so I began to wonder, "Why not shop in my own closet instead?"
"Scores Die in India as Monsoon Rains Swamp Towns and Send Boulders Tumbling"
I flew to Arizona for my sister's bachelorette celebration two weeks ago. She's been having terrible luck organizing her wedding, thanks in part to Covid-19, so this trip was supposed to be restful and enjoyable for her. However, a monsoon struck the first night we landed in Arizona. I was terrified as it was the first monsoon in Arizona in decades. Trees were coming out of the ground, lightning would not stop flashing, the rain was pouring down heavily, and the thunder was deafening. I was freaking out in the hotel lobby with my other sister, thinking the roof was going to cave in and we'd all die. However, it was nothing compared to what occurred in India.
According to this report, India's monsoons are among the worst, and this season 300,000 people have been evacuated, thousands have been placed in relief camps, and 250 people have died. I can't stop thinking about what many individuals were thinking and experiencing throughout the storm. I can't fathom what I would have done in India if I hadn't been okay during the little monsoon in Arizona. They must have felt terrified and powerless.
Reading this article also made me upset since there are things that the Indian government could do to help stop or improve climate change, but they don't. I strongly believe it would be far better to address the problem than to deliberately lose lives and then reimburse the families.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/27/business/economy/covid-parenting-work-time.html
I was impressed by this article this week. The outbreak of covid-19 affected our life so much.
“Why Vaccinated People Are Getting Breakthrough Infections”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/22/health/coronavirus-breakthrough-infections-delta.html
Covid has effected everyone all throughout the world. The vaccine would be a great way to calm the spread. But vaccinated people are having breakthrough infections. Even thoiugh the breakthrough infections are kind of uncommon those that cause serious illness, hospitalization or death even more so. 97 percent of people hopitilized for covid are unvaccinteed. The adverge vaccinated person with a breakthrough infection is likely to be inconsequntial, causing no to very few symptoms. With these breakthroughs doctors are trying to figure out why and what they should be doing to fix this. The article gives an example of how the vaccine is helping, it states “ the vaccines cut down the severity and duration of illness significantly, with players returning less than two weeks after becoming infected, compared with nearly three weeks earlier in the pandemic.” The vaccine is a great way to get covid from being more servere. At first I was very scared to get the vaccine but by reading this, I’m now I want to get the vaccine as it is very unlikely that I will actually catch COVID and breakthroughs are okay.
“No, the Unvaccinated Aren’t Just Being Difficult”
In my community we have a large population of people who are unvaccinated, we also have a high poverty rate. Many of the unvaccinated people are very vocal about why they don’t want to receive it. Usually something along the lines of “they have trackers in them” or “I don’t trust the government”. However, there are many who are open to or at least undecided about getting a vaccine.
One of my friends had concerns about getting the vaccine because she had been told by her family that it might kill her and it was dangerous. I researched and explained how these vaccines worked and she is now pushing her parents to get one. A lot of times, they want to get the vaccine but can’t gain information to make sure that it is safe. And when they ask the people around them, they get dismissed.
Other times, they need time to get the vaccine and deal with its effects and they are unable to get it. In low-income households, taking a day off can be the difference between having food or not. If you have young children, it can also be difficult to get vaccinated due to concerns about child care if you do get symptoms after the vaccine.
All the people who were easy to get vaccinated, have. The government needs to put in more effort into getting proper information out about how these vaccines work. They need to put in more money to make sure that people in low-income areas have access to vaccines and the money and food to deal with its effects.
“Start-Ups Aim Beyond Earth”
When I heard that a rover had successfully landed on Mars in elementary school, I remember thinking of how impossible that sounded. I wonder what third graders in the decades to come will shake their heads at. Maybe travel packages to Mars will be available on Expedia by then.
The space industry has exhibited unprecedented growth in the 21st century. The article illustrates how streams of start-ups are constantly developing space technology and investors are pouring millions into them. With private corporations now dominating the space industry, one can predict that in just a few years, commercial space flight will become a new luxury that only the wealthy will be able to afford.
But as amazing as this is, I’m concerned that this rapid flourishing is clouding our focus for immediate issues. Climate change has reached its gravest point in history, with 2020 being the warmest year ever recorded. In 2015, the United Nations agreed to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (number 13 being climate action) by 2030. We only have nine years left, a short but still golden time for collective action.
However, we are investing our money, time, and effort for a beginning outside of Earth. With this coinciding timeline of the space industry’s rise and our planet’s downfall, it seems like corporations are setting the time for mankind to pack our bags and leave. Why are we so determined to move out, rather than fix what we caused?
"Are Fitness Buffs Going Back to the Gym?"
By Alex Williams
I am a fitness buff. Not kidding, burpees bring me so much joy. Ironically, despite putting my body through pain, the feeling of a good workout puts a smile on my face and gives me a perfect start to the day.
After being inspired by internet fitness gurus, edged on by fellow classmates, and enamored by the variety of gym machines, I decided to test the waters at my local gym. I was geared up from head-to-toe in black— my “outfit of the day” consisted of a black Nike T-shirt, black Nike yoga pants, and black Nike sneakers. It seems that not only do I have an obsession with working out, but also with the Nike brand itself.
Other than loving the fitness brand, I chose this outfit because I didn’t want to stand out in the crowd. Unfortunately, my all-black gear did not protect me from my worries. The moment I stepped foot into the gym, I felt the stares and the silent judgement from those around me.
On the contrary, as the author mentions, there are countless benefits to working out at home, whether that is to save money or save time. Especially during a pandemic, doing so also helps save lives. Personally, compared to sweating with huffing and puffing strangers in a tightly sealed facility, I would much rather spend time working out with my navy blue yoga mat and having my favorite fitness bloggers cheer me on through the screen, in the comfort of my own home.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/travel/cruise-industry-comeback.html
Two summers ago, I went on a cruise awash with waterslides, flashing arcades, and the type of excitement you only get in amusement parks. It was a massive dream-come-true standing in the ocean.
Nonetheless, during the pandemic, my love for cruises turned into fear. Like Yeginsu and Chokshi point out, early outbreaks onboard those ships were "killing more than 100". The industry was losing billions of dollars each month and had tainted tourist views like mine.
Reading this article brightened my thoughts on the first comebacks of the cruise. It also awakened me to the desperate workers who faced enforced layoff and even a future of safer travel; "'I can’t believe the day has come when I have been called back to work.'" Recent C.D.C guidelines have also required most crew and passengers to be vaccinated.
Although cruises are still at risk of outbreaks, this comeback signals hope that traveling will not always be full of anxiety and safety risks. One day, I might even travel on cruises again!
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/opinion/culture/shopping-retail-therapy-covid.html
I had always loved the thrill of shopping. I would go to stores aimlessly, looking for things to buy that I never really needed. But, the pandemic changed this. I did not want to risk catching the virus just to go shopping. As a result, after going many months without shopping, I realize that now, each time I go shopping, it is only for things that I actually need.
In the article, “I No Longer Want to Shop”, Erin Aubry Kaplan, describes her experience with shopping. During the pandemic, she decided to do more online shopping to satisfy her lack of in-person shopping. When she received the packages, she was more aware of how much waste she was making because of shopping. Now, each time she goes shopping, she knows what to get and where to get it--she is now “far more focused and intentional.”
This is a small shift that some Americans have made because of the pandemic. The article concludes by stating what may seem “like a small shift” is still a start. This shows us that sometimes, all it takes is a small shift for greater changes to occur for the better. Similarly, I believe that although COVID restricted many aspects of people’s lives for an extended period of time, “positive change is doable,” and these uncharted times have enabled new perspectives on things we may have taken for granted.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/opinion/ben-and-jerry-israel.html
While growing up, ice cream was always a staple in my diet. The sweet treat has been my comfort food while staying up late studying for a test and can usual help to cheer me up when I am sad. I have countless happy memories of going out for ice cream with my friends, family, and sports teams. It has been my favorite dessert for as long as I can remember so earlier this year when I decided to go vegan I was worried that I would not have enough willpower to give it up. However, I have since discovered multiple brands that make dairy free ice cream, Ben and Jerry's being my personal first choice. Besides the delicious taste, I also enjoyed Ben and Jerry's brand because of their activism. They have been vocal about and have donated funds to many social justice causes relating to racial discrimination, LGBTQ rights, climate change, and more. I try my best to only support brands that align with my morals because I do not want my money going to causes I am against. Ben and Jerry's was a brand I liked purchasing from, but when I heard about their involvement in Israel I questioned if I should continue. My desire to eat ice cream is not worth indirectly assisting the abuse that Palestinians are going through. I am glad that I read this article from Ben and Jerry's about them halting their business in the territories Israel occupies so I can continue to support a brand that fights for good in the world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/23/well/mind/mental-health-climate-anxiety.html
I’ve often wondered if the rationale behind right-wing climate change denial is partially rooted in fear, because “[t]hat level of realization makes you feel a little helpless.” Politics aside, it’s certainly easier to sweep overwhelming anxieties under the rug and focus on more immediate concerns, be they election results or credit scores. But we can’t simply bury our heads in the sand. In Molly Peterson’s article, “How to Calm Your Climate Anxiety,” high schooler Charlie Sacha said, “I don’t have that much power to do things on a grand global level…[b]ut you can quite literally make a change in your own backyard.”
About two years ago, I had a similar revelation after reading a piece detailing the cattle industry’s greenhouse gas impact. I didn’t know anything about geo-engineering and I wasn’t a supermarket CEO, but I could cut down my own beef consumption. This dietary shift led to an interest in urban farming and culinary classes, and one day, after meeting a fellow amateur cook who showed me pictures of her incredibly affectionate pet chicken, I chose to completely drop meat from the menu. In the grand scheme of things, I know this decision won’t do much to help the environment. Then again, there isn’t much I can contribute on a national or global scale. I’ve realized the important thing is this: I am not changing the world, but I am changing myself.
As much as I love Bruce Lee, I think Mike Tyson would win in an actual fight--not because Tyson trained harder, but simply because he is bigger than Lee. Encouraging endeavor over genetics, sports have divided competing athletes by body mass for greater fairness.
“In Weight Lifting, a Historic Moment for Transgender Women,” Ken Belson and Tariq Panja talk about the recent Olympic controversy: weight lifter Laurel Hubbard became the first openly transgender woman to participate in the Olympics. People such as Siosifa Taumoepeau, the secretary general of Tonga’s Olympic committee, were upset by Hubbard’s participation: “Why don’t we have a separate competition for this group?” But Sarah Fischer, an Austrian lifter, supported Hubbard: “I wanted her to win a medal… so everybody would shut up about it.”
Compared to boxing, brute strength has an even greater advantage in weight lifting. Acknowledging that males and females have an innate, indelible gap in terms of strength, weight lifting has always been separated by assigned gender. If a transgender woman, who is nevertheless genetically and in terms of anatomical build like a cis male, competes with other cis females, she will have an unfair advantage. Such an advantage would eradicate other athletes’ hard work: with the same training, “men” can lift heavier weights than women.
It’s a shame that transgendered people should be always at the center of controversy, being put under a microscope by their cis-gender colleagues.
As much as I love Bruce Lee, I think Mike Tyson would win in an actual fight--not because Tyson trained harder, but simply because he is bigger than Lee. Encouraging endeavor over genetics, sports have divided competing athletes by body mass for greater fairness.
“In Weight Lifting, a Historic Moment for Transgender Women,” Ken Belson and Tariq Panja talk about the recent Olympic controversy: weight lifter Laurel Hubbard became the first openly transgender woman to participate in the Olympics. People such as Siosifa Taumoepeau, the secretary general of Tonga’s Olympic committee, were upset by Hubbard’s participation: “Why don’t we have a separate competition for this group?” But Sarah Fischer, an Austrian lifter, supported Hubbard: “I wanted her to win a medal… so everybody would shut up about it.”
Compared to boxing, brute strength has an even greater advantage in weight lifting. Acknowledging that males and females have an innate, indelible gap in terms of strength, weight lifting has always been separated by assigned gender. If a transgender woman, who is nevertheless genetically and in terms of anatomical build like a cis male, competes with other cis females, she will have an unfair advantage. Such an advantage would eradicate other athletes’ hard work: with the same training, “men” can lift heavier weights than women.
It’s a shame that transgendered people should be always at the center of controversy, being put under a microscope by their cis-gender colleagues.
Do you feel that? That cool, wafting breeze, signaling the end of summer and the start of school. But this year, that breeze carries with it more than just the promise of fall: it also carries coronavirus. “As Delta Variant Spreads, N.Y.C. Parents Worry About Coming School Year,” one headline reads. Parents have cause to be worried. “Hundreds of children in Indonesia have died from the coronavirus in recent weeks, many of them under age 5” (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/25/world/asia/children-deaths-virus-indonesia.html?searchResultPosition=9). And although “schools have not been a major cause of Covid spreading events... when a number of prevention measures are in place,” (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/well/family/back-to-school-covid.html?searchResultPosition=2) the worrying thing is that these prevention measures might NOT be in place, or won’t be enforced. As states lift mask mandates for vaccinated people, schools may do the same. But determining vaccination status is so difficult, there’s no realistic way of enforcing mask wearing for unvaccinated students - not to mention, many students are too young to get vaccinated. These students could become asymptomatic carriers and unknowingly spread the virus to older family members, who are more at risk for severe symptoms. As for me? I will be attending school in person, but I’ll stay masked and socially distanced. Given the Delta variant and rising cases, now is hardly the time to let our guard down and breeze along.
“The Olympics Rely On, but Don’t Support, Black Girl Magic”
“Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things are gonna get easier” - Tupac Shakur, "Keep Ya Head Up"
Twenty-eight years ago American rapper, actor, and lyrical genius Tupac Shakur wrote the song “Keep Ya Head Up.” Like many other tracks written by the artist, in this number Pac focused on a real world issue, protecting black women.
In 1993 and still, in 2021, black women are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. The expected standard of “black excellence” stows an ineffable amount of pressure on Olympic athletes like Simone Biles, Sha'carri Richardson, and Naomi Osaka.
When ounces of blood, sweat, and tears run down their faces as they fight for gold to bring glory to our country’s name, society shows them praise and adoration. However, the moment we show a hint of vulnerability, humanity, society tosses us aside. We are no longer considered “black excellence.”
Richardson used marijuana as a method to cope with the loss of her mother, so the idea of “Black Girl Magic'' was thrown away. Biles and Osaka withdrew from grand events to place the focus on their mental health, so people called them selfish and weak.
With the amount of support and assistance given, the expectancy of absolute perfection by these athletes is indubitably unreasonable and it infuriates me to see the way society treats our black women.
Pac said, “It’s time to heal our women, be real to our women.” I think it's time we listen.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/opinion/pulsars-jocelyn-bell-burnell-astronomy.html?searchResultPosition=1
I've seen many betrayals and plot twists on big screens, some shocking, others expected. Watching yet another back stab this week didn't really surprise me, weirdly enough I found myself inspired. Jocelyn Bell Burnell's approach to her science career made me proud to see another strong woman fighting in the face of oppressors. Politics of science aside, Jocelyn simply was proud that her discovery was important enough to be rewarded with a Nobel prize.
It's a true shame that Jocelyn was robbed of her own accomplishment in the beginning, but watching her face the situation with a brave face stirred up my want to fight. Seeing as Jocelyn herself had little control over the circumstance and was being objectified by paparazzi, made me furious. I can't imagine working so hard on something just to have it stolen. And since I can't turn back time to stand for this injustice, I realized that I have every opportunity to stand for myself and those around me.
On August 6, 1945, over a hundred thousand individuals had been instantaneously wiped off the face of the planet, by a nuclear warhead detonated over the populated city of Hiroshima, Japan. A weapon this boundless in its destructive power had been enough to end World War II and open a door of nuclear warfare, one that threatens civilization as a whole. With the capability to vaporize hardened steel and render sand into glass, no nation nor city could withstand the sheer explosive power of any nuke. A minute conflict between nations could invoke the simple press of a button, launching a few hundred warheads, effectively wiping out all life on Earth, leaving no one the victor. Such unease was sufficiently captured in Dennis Overbye’s “Touring Trinity, the Birthplace of Nuclear Dread'', a NYT science reporter who worked on the American military bombs. In this article, the author tours the Trinity Site, the small patch of New Mexico desert, wherein the first nuclear device had been detonated, retelling his journey and informing the reader of historical facts regarding the base. Us, the reader is led to the startling and bone-chilling reality, that we live in a world with thousands of these nuclear warheads, each capable of bringing about apocalyptic ruin in its wake. I believe that Overbye sums up this “nuclear dread” perfectly with this quote from Robert Oppenheimer, the father behind the atomic bomb, “Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds.”
“More Than ‘Just Takeout’”
The familiar smell of warm rice and sounds of happy family members reuniting on Chinese New Year greeted me at the entrance of the restaurant; I walked around the table to greet my relatives. Although I could barely hear their exclamations at how tall I’d grown over the chatter of the dining room, I knew we were about to communicate through a language straight from the heart: food.
One by one, delicious dishes arrived at our table. Fish from the saying of “nian nian you yu” means prosperity for the New Year. Dumplings in the shape of “jing yuan bao”—an old currency for the wealthy—signify financial stability. Most importantly, “tang yuan”—or rice balls— share sounds with the phrase “tuan yuan,” meaning family and reunion.
So when David R. Chan stated “most Chinese eaters have really disdained Americanized Chinese food,” I agreed with most Chinese eaters at first. Walking into a Chinese restaurant with blinking neon characters in the storefront, I was horrified by “Kung Pow Chicken,” “Orange Chicken,” and even “Steak with Shrimp.”
However, Cathy Erway’s article offered me a new perspective. The American Chinese dishes from the restaurants are, as Lucas Sin said, “a really great case study in how cultures come together.” In the culinary world, both my Chinese and American cultures take a peek at what the other is about. Next time I walk into a neon-signed Chinese restaurant, I will appreciate the little bit of America in the food.
I used to run to the car after school, hightail it to my extracurriculars, eat a meager dinner on the way home, and finish my evenings scrambling through homework. I’m sure many students can relate to my pre-pandemic routine in some way. As facilities open up, these busy schedules have become possible again, and some people are indeed returning to them. Personally, the thought is terrifying, yet incredibly tempting.
During a year of Zoom classes, my screen time hit an all-time high, and my self-esteem hit an all-time low. There were points where I had never felt so hopeless and unproductive. I should be jumping at the opportunity to fill my time again, right? In “A Packed Schedule Doesn’t Really ‘Enrich’ Your Child,” Shalini Shankar gives a simple answer: no.
Shankar’s article is directed towards parents, but I've realized I need some convincing on this matter too. She asks us to examine the impulse to fill our schedules.
My town is prided for education. Students are constantly competing, and our intense academic environment is only part of the reason why stress levels are so high. I sank into the belief that being busy, sleeping late, and cutting meals equated to working hard. But I wasn’t working hard: I was just burning myself out with unhealthy habits. There’s a balance between pursuing your interests and taking time for yourself. So while Covid-19 restrictions have eased, I’m not going to fill up my calendar just yet. Maybe I’ll learn how to cook.
“Lena Dunham and the Spanx Liberation Movement”
I bet you can’t find a better-proportioned body like mine: thick back, thick waist, big bottom. Yes, every ounce of fat seems to be evenly distributed, straight from head to toe.
I have never experienced fat shaming, at least none that I can recall. I am blessed to have friends who don’t think less of me because of my body. I don’t give many thoughts to my body, though sometimes I feel distressed about not being able to buy clothes that flatter my body.
So when I read Lena’s statement that “making clothes for bigger bodies doesn’t mean just adding more fabric or cutting the waist wider,” I can’t agree more. She understands so well the dressing needs of girls like me, and I can’t wait to see her collection.
But at the same time, with her platform, she could have done so much more, for example, urging more girls like me to lose weight. Don’t get me wrong: girls like me should never be shamed into losing weight in drastic and even morbid ways. There’s nothing shameful about our bodies as they are right now. Losing weight is not about shame, but self-care.
Yes, girls can have bigger bodies, but we have to admit that obesity can lead to a lot of health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. The Body Positivity movement can’t be just about putting us in the right clothes to boost our confidence; it is ultimately about loving ourselves, including our most precious health.
“Are You a Bad Person for Watching the Olympics?”
As a teen entering the adult world, I have started to realize the importance of living ethically. I hope that by supporting ethical movements and organizations, as well as opposing unethical behaviors, I will be able to do my part in creating a more moral and progressive society. This desire to live ethically, as well as my love for the Olympics, quickly drew my attention to the article.
Sarah Mudd explains that the Olympics is laden with “corruption, cheating, the abuse of athletes,” hefty environmental impacts, and the spreading of Covid-19. Mudd then attempts to answer the following questions: Should we, as viewers, feel responsible for the unethicality of the Olympics? If so, is it immoral for us to watch it?
Mudd concludes the essay by explaining that “choosing to watch the Games, for all their faults, is perfectly compatible with these efforts [to live morally].” This conclusion resonated with me because it represents the sacrifice that living ethically can create, and how that sacrifice might not always be worth it. Deciding to not watch the Olympics will not affect the Olympic Committee, and yet, it will deny me the opportunity to be inspired by the stories of the amazing athletes participating in the games and to witness the love and respect shown among the athletes, even from different countries. Although it has its faults, the Olympics are truly spectacular, so we should be able to watch it guilt-free.
Iraq Reclaims 17,000 Looted Artifacts, Its Biggest-Ever Repatriation
Looted artifacts returned to Iraq from the Museum of the Bible and Cornell University remind me of looted artifacts at my local museum, the Royal Ontario Museum(ROM)in Toronto, Canada.
As an avid antique collector, I have been to ROM many times. It holds the second largest collection of Chinese artifacts outside China, just behind the British Museum. One of the most famous is the grand Tomb of General Zu Dashou built in the early Qing Dynasty.
In 1918, ROM hired British Merchant George Crofts to bring back a complete set of tombs from China. China at the time was a new republic and the society was not yet stable. Despite being a turbulent era, tomb raiding was already deemed illegal, yielding serious sentences. Crofts, however, was convinced to take his chances by the $20,000 payment from ROM, equivalent to $360,000 today.
Crofts found a local Chinese family with the surname Zu and had them pretend to be the descendants of General Zu Dashou. Crofts paid them 500 yuan to disassemble the tomb in the name of fixing it. A 1000 yuan bribe ensured that the inspectors would turn a blind eye. Eventually the tomb was shipped to ROM and was placed on the first floor where it remains to this day.
ROM returns artifacts it considers looted. General Zu Dashou's tomb does not fall into this category, in spite of Crofts' dubious means to attain it. The tomb is not a priority for China the way the cuneiforms were for Iraq.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/sports/olympics/simone-biles-out.html?searchResultPosition=1
‘Simone Biles Is Out Of The Team Final’ By Juliet Macur
As a little girl, gymnastics was always a sport that interested me. I’d watch the athletes flip over bars, vaults, and beams every Olympics season—wishing I could do the same. However, once I, along with my sisters, actually attempted the sport, I realized just how difficult gymnastics can really be. One gymnast who has risen to the challenge of the sport is Simone Biles; a two-time Olympian and world champion who has captivated America with her practically perfect performances.
Simone unexpectedly changed her routine mid-performance and, as a result, received a low score. Immediately after, Simone pulled out of the team competition claiming she had a medical emergency and watched the rest of the competition from the sidelines. Shortly after, she announced that her aunt had recently passed away and her mental health was not in the best state. Simone was under a lot of pressure being one of the greatest gymnasts and shared she felt the “weight of the world on her shoulders.”
Nobody is perfect and it is extremely important for everyone to periodically take time off and work on their mental health. I believe it was important for Simone to step out of the Olympics this year and not stress her health - mentally or physically.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/opinion/South-slavery-Confederacy-curriculum.html
In the fourth grade, I lived in Virginia, although not the racist part, where the Confederate flag is flown with pride. My white teacher taught us that Robert E. Lee fought with the Confederacy, not because he agreed with slavery, but because he was a proud Virginian. Well I am not proud of that history.
Teaching students about slavery isn’t about wanting to make someone feel guilty about being white. It isn’t about guilt at all. It is about teaching the correct history about America. Schools teach about the American Revolution because as Americans, we feel that we were in the right in gaining our independence, but even then we don’t learn about the slavery already happening in the country.
The writer included in her article information about a law legislated in Tennessee banning discussion of race that might cause a student “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress.” Black students aren’t offered a moment of discomfort or anguish. They have to learn about their history in America and must on their own learn their history in Africa, a history before slavery.
In my World History class, a student asked the teacher why we skipped the Africa and Asia chapters. His response was that they were “not important.”This isn’t only a Southern problem, but also an American one. Southern pride may be a reason, but there is nothing prideful about owning another human being.
If there’s one thought that can push me into unbridled panic, it’s the realization that American democracy is not shaping up to be as brilliant as I had been promised it would be. We saw as much on January 6th, and we continue to see the far-right ideologies behind the attack manifest as legislatures pass policy to reinforce systemic inequality.
Farhad Manjoo writes in “What if Humans Just Can’t Get Along Anymore?” that it is perhaps too early to negate the potential for progress entirely. After all, economist Elinor Ostrom found through her research that people have historically been willing to put aside their differences for the collective good if the necessary institutions are in place. Why can’t we do that now?
It’s simple. We lack the institutions because conservatism, which nearly half of Americans still subscribe to, is inherently opposed to replacing antiquated systems with modern ones. They fear change. For as long as the left attempts to entertain the right’s demands to reject equality and reason, no progress will be made.
I am losing hope. I am tired of watching politicians play pedantic games. They’re not the ones who are going to deal with unprecedented climate change, or a population increasingly more inclined to believe conspiracies than experts. They’re not the ones who are aware that they will suffer, but are nearly powerless to stop it. They’re the ones who can afford to be reckless.
But I am not, and so I must stand on the side that cares.
Do you?
What do John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg have in common? They were both liberal justices who refused to retire when many wanted them to. Unlike some liberal justices, conservative justices retire before 80 during a Republican presidency to replace themselves with another conservative person.
In “Liberals Who Don’t Retire,” David Leonhart states that “aging liberal justices have essentially put a higher priority on their interests than on their judicial ideals.” Conservative justices have focused less on their personal preferences when planning for their retirement. Their attitude has been based on political principles, and that’s why the conservatives dominate the court today.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a liberal justice, refused to retire even though she had two cancers, and many wanted her to step down. As a result, once she died in 2020 during Donald Trump’s presidency, she was replaced with a conservative justice, giving another justice seat to the Republicans.
I understand why many people would want to stay as a justice for their life, and as David says, “the attention they receive, the power they wield--Retirement, by comparison, can seem small and boring.” However, being a justice has a significant role that comes with it: supporting your side and bringing justice to cases. If I were a judge, I would want to retire to allow the side I am supporting to choose a replacement and make a cause to change America to a place I would like it to be.
‘Completely Violated’: Women Describe Cuomo’s Groping and Intimidation
It has become increasingly disturbing to me that there are people in positions of power- especially government positions-that act in highly inappropriate ways and are able to get away with these actions. When I read the title of this article, I couldn’t help but think of similar headings I had come across concerning Donald Trump, and how many more similar stories may arise. When in the workplace, everyone should be treated with the utmost respect and never be, or feel, violated in such a personal way.
Walking on the street with a friend, just a whistle directed at us had the power to make me feel uncomfortable. I couldn’t imagine what the unwanted touches and words from someone who thinks their place of power allows them the right to act in such a nasty way, would make me feel. Reading that, “even unwelcome sexualized attention could be seen as “a better alternative to the otherwise tense, stressful and ‘toxic’ experience in the executive chamber,” shows that Cuomo and those who supported him, were able to instill fear, and hold power over these women. In this way, I think Cuomo believed that he’d be able to keep what he’d done under wraps by making it harder for the women to speak out. I can only hope that there will be consequences for the disgusting actions of people like Cuomo and that we will all be able to work with the respect and feeling of safety in the workplace that we deserve.
“Yes, Trump Is Ridiculous. He’s Also Dangerous.”
Former president Donald Trump has been the subject of ridicule for American citizens during his interesting four years of presidency, but that has recently come to a lull, with him being banned from every imaginable form of social media. But, even if he has faded into the backs of most of our minds, he can still be a threat.
Most people know that Trump has been refusing to secede the recent 2020 election, claiming that the vote was miscounted, and that he is still the true president. He believes he is the true president and because of the miscount, he will be allowed to be president for three terms. Ridiculous as this is, he still has a large support base, at home and in Congress. The opinion piece “Yes, Trump is Ridiculous. He’s Also Dangerous,” notes several Trump devotees in Congress, who have refused to certify the recent election results and have signed a brief to the Supreme Court asking the justices to overturn the presidential results.
While all of these are examples of the danger of Trump’s power, one of the most frightening examples is the January 6 attack on the Capitol, largely instigated by his followers. Many Trump supporters broke into the Capitol, and demolished parts of the building as a sign of resistance against the recent election results, while many congressmen feared for their lives. People might dismiss Trump’s goal as frivolous, but he has the power and support to possibly make his goal a reality.
"Loneliness Is Breaking America"
“But he always brings down the taxes, and that’s why I love him”—my Chinese American aunt mouthed carelessly as she clicked “free shipping” on her Amazon order. Behind her, my younger cousins yell “what’s for dinner?” and on hearing “mac & cheese,” four feet stumble down from the faraway third floor. She left me with a victorious, “gotta feed!”
I’ve given up on arguing against their vote for a precarious, irresponsible president. Yet for my aunt, the extra penny means more than anything the Democrats promise.
Their peculiar choice does not represent Michelle Goldberg’s profile of the “lonely” working class, yet very much reflects the social situation too many Americans find themselves in—disconnected, discontent, disavowed. The physical count of people around them does not matter, nor does socioeconomic status.
My aunt grapples daily with checkbooks in her office and math worksheets back home, and COVID-19 hasn’t helped by violently fusing the two. As a US national that grew up in China, she struggles to really belong anywhere (while being the economic pillar of a family)—and needs her plea for an easier life projected louder than ever. Trump does exactly that, tailoring his claims to the excluded population—to people knee-deep in realistic hardships with no emotional support—even if that support comes from absurd theories and imagined enemies. Paradoxically, those enemies end up being her very own race and country of origin.
“The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most”
Over the course of the summer, I have realized how horrendous my math skills have gotten. Everything, from quadratics to logarithms to simple geometric formulas, all of which I have forgotten. Sadly, as I have just discovered, this is the case for most of the students during the past COVID-19 years.
Despite this however, I have had the good fortune to retain my knowledge in other subjects to my weekly tutoring sessions. However, this is not the case for most students. Sarah Mervosh’s “The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most,” covers those that were more vulnerable to this pandemic, mainly low-income families who could not afford the technology for virtual learning. As a result, lower-income ethnicities such as blacks, hispanics, along with less affected asians and whites have all had a massive decrease in their learning, setting them back 6 months in subjects such as math and reading.
Along with certain factors that students cannot control such as their social class, I believe that the leading cause is a lack of enforcement due to limitations of virtual apps and lessons, which allows students, including myself, to call their best friends about the newest trends, playing the most popular games, and watching funny videos on YouTube.
After all, education is vital to help students develop into the working class that will eventually be the foundation of our society and economy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/30/sports/olympics/suni-lee-auburn.html
Frustration, anxiety, and perplexation filled my mind, as I previewed the university courses with resentment of going to an university that was not my dream school. The difficulty of the textbook exceeds my expectation, which also made me reflect on my learning ability and academic achievement. What should I do in university?
In “Sunisa Lee’s next big move after the Olympics? College” by Juliet Macur, the Olympics all-around gymnastics champion, Lee, looked forward to going to college that is a place to take a break and flee from the Olympics, “elite atmosphere”, temporarily. However, immersing herself in stress and practicing with outstanding competitors, Lee did not want to leave her college life behind. She planned to participate in more international and in-school competitions.
I, who lived in a stressful environment, competed in every academic course and extracurricular with classmates around me. I doubted my value, envied the achievements of others, and disappointed in my college life before it starts. Lee inspired me by her excitement about her college, a place to rest and to reach the next level of excellence. My condition is resembled a strained rubber band in danger of breaking at any moment. I should go to college with ambitious and passion to make the band collecting more potential energy to reach a higher level of my life stage.
The banning of swim caps designed for Black hair; Mboma and Masilingi denied their spots at the 400m for natural testosterone levels; Richardson's suspension for marijuana use, a non-performance-enhancing drug. I should not be able to form a list of the anti-Black actions the Olympics have perpetrated.
But the Olympics are a reprieve, where we can collectively gaze upon these Olympians and their tenacity, gleaming in hardened medals, right? I agree, Ms. Crouse. From the pride welling behind my eyes as Lee reigned the gymnastics all-around, to the awe pulling breath into gasps following Quan's domination the 10m platform at only 14, I'd say I agree.
Yet I cannot stop thinking about this "choice" you've made. "I'm tired of being cynical. I'm watching the Olympics." Oh, what a chore it is to be cynical. This here, Ms. Crouse, is your privilege speaking.
As a white woman, you have the great ability to momentarily forgo the effects of racism, namely anti-Blackness, because you can distance yourself from it. I too am not excused from this; as an Asian American, I have not been targeted in the same way Black women have been isolated and dehumanized in these games.
I do not have a decisive answer: to watch or not. I still stay updated because like you, I find hope through these Olympians. Though I hope you too can see the privilege in your own verdict. Some cannot afford the luxury of cynicism--the choice of cynicism--simply because this is their life, not a critique.
2
It is difficult to appreciate the value of bodily responses such as nausea and itching, especially when experiencing them. These disgust responses are notoriously unpleasant, and yet, researched described in “Ever Feel Your Skin Crawling? Maybe You Can Thank Evolution” proposes the groundbreaking idea that these responses are necessary, a gift to humanity from evolution. This is what caught my eye in the Times this week.
Although unbeknownst to me, it has been established that nausea is a beneficial bodily defense mechanism, established through evolution, “that protects people from pathogens and parasites” that we may have ingested (Imbler). A newer idea, suggested by the research of Doctors Kupfer and Fessler, is that itching is an evolutionary body defense mechanism against ectoparasites like ticks. Their research, involving subjecting random people to “disgusting” images and videos, showed a clear difference in responses to pathogens (nausea), and ectoparasites (itching and scratching).
Understanding and realizing that disgust responses are normal is important to removing the fear surrounding them, and may help us further understand conditions like delusional parasitosis, “the mistaken belief that parasites have invaded the body” (Imbler). If we are able to recognize the normalcy and benefits of responses like nausea and itching, we can become less disgusted with our disgust.
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set"
I know almost nothing about gymnastics, nor did I know much about Simone Biles before this controversial situation occurred. However, it has caused me to reflect on everything that she has been through, even before the situation.
Simone Biles is the only gymnast that was a victim of Larry Nassar (doctor that sexually assaulted many gymnasts) that is on Team USA. Not only is she resilient for continuing the sport after the trauma it has caused her, but she is also an inspiration to so many gymnasts for the morals she stands for. Despite all of the criticism she has faced online, she has stood up for herself and even went back into the competition and earned a bronze medal. Her determination is stronger than any of the people hating on her.
This situation has revealed how toxic the Olympics are to those participating; not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Simone Biles prioritizing her personal health has caused some to believe she is betraying the country.
At the end of the day, they are simply for medals.
What should be done, however? What can be done? This isn't only an Olympics problem. It's also a social media problem. Social media has transformed into a dangerous platform that has the power to hurt people from anywhere in the world. To prevent anyone from being put in Simone's situation again, cyberbullying needs to be talked about more.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/26/sports/olympics/skateboarding-skateboarders-tokyo-olympics.html
The Olympics are a time for the best of the best to gather together to represent their countries and show the world the skills that they have spent years, maybe even decades, perfecting. Although, for some lucky few, it only takes a few years of hard work and dedication for their skills to advance them to the Olympics. With the addition of Women's Skateboarding to the 2020 Summer Tokyo Olympic Games, the world is taking notice of a few of these extraordinary young athletes as they bring home medals and wide smiles.
At just 13-16 years old, several teenage skaters weres soaring above the competition. Some seasoned athletes, such as Alexis Sablone, 34, did not receive medals because of the new arrivals. Yet, instead of feeling distraught by this shift in the skating world, Sablone was overjoyed. Sablone understood that this meant that the sport was popular enough to bring about prodigies that could blow her out of the water. This growth was groundbreaking for the sport and young female athletes all around.
Even the young athletes themselves can see the difference they are making. Athletes go to the Olympics with an understanding of the inspiration they are to people around the world. They understand that the Olympics are "a good place to inspire people" (18). This leads to their medal-winning performances encouraging young girls to strive to be their best more than before.
״A Rap Song Lays Bare Israel’s Jewish-Arab Fracture — and Goes Viral״
I immediately noticed Cohen's article about my country, but it quickly piqued my interest even more, as its claims over a viral rap song seems quite odd - I have no memory of such a song, let alone a viral one! Mr Cohen claims that it "has garnered more than four million views on social media". I have found, however, barely any posts about it on Facebook. On Youtube, I discovered, it has only 120K views, which even in Israel is not even close to being viral.
This seemingly petty disagreement reflects a critical flaw in Cohen's article, because of the reason why this song hasn't gone viral inside Israel: while one might think, after reading Cohen's article, that the song depicts the heart of the conflict, it actually misses some of the central aspects. It wishes to portray the conflict as a result of our traumas and fears, while it is caused by much more concrete issues.
Not once does the song bring up the two Intifadas, nor the rockets shot from Gaza. There are barely two fleeting references to terror attacks in general! I'm barely 16, and yet I remember the Knife Intifada and coming back home from school every day, in almost empty streets, and hearing about yet another Israeli killed. Are the rockets shot on Israel from Lebanon last week also simply just PTSD flashbacks?
Let's talk straight - Cohen's article, through spreading naive ideas about the conflict, only drives us further away from a solution.
Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set
On July 27th, my brother barged into my room, uninvited, to announce that “Simone Biles quit.” Still muddled with sleep, I gave him a thumbs-up and waved him away, not realising the importance of his statement. I had forgotten all about it until the afternoon, when Dad asked my brother if he had told me the news. I asked him what, and he said the same words my brother had said several hours ago: “Simone Biles quit.”
At first, I struggled to grasp it; Simone Biles, one of the best gymnasts in the world, had quit. I wanted to turn on her and accuse her of running away. I wanted to be angry at her for making excuses and saying, “I didn’t quit. My mind and body are simply not in sync.” I wanted to shout at her the names of legendary gymnasts that had not given up even though they were suffering. But then I realised I was being unreasonable. I was shoving the “weight of the world” onto her shoulders and was expecting her to win the gold medal, ignoring the fact that she needs to protect and value her “mental or physical health” above the country’s absurdly high expectations.
Gymnasts are human. They are fallible just like us, with their own ups and downs. Simone Biles just had her down, and she had decided to “regroup”. She does not have to feel like she needs to always live up to the world’s expectations, because she doesn’t have to. Instead of criticizing her, we should applaud her; she is not weak. She is brave.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/well/move/mental-skills-coaching-olympics.html
I am on the track about to run my race, but my stomach is churning and I'm getting really, really hot. As I’m there on the blocks, I wish there was some simple, effective way to get rid of these stupid nerves so I can compete well. How on earth can olympians do it when I get nervous at a high school track meet? Well, they have mental coaches, and that seems like a really good idea for all levels of sports. Research has shown that a mental coach lets athletes perform better while putting less stress on the body, so why don’t high schools implement this? Athletes performing better, with less stress, and less injuries. It sounds like a dream. If schools started early with mental coaches that come in before athletic competitions and once a week for a mental practice could do so much for the mental health of students. The stress that student athletes are under can lead to bad grades, addiction, and injury. Bringing in mental coaches would be a very effective yet small step schools could take to help combat the stress students deal with, and trust me, students deal with a lot of stress.
On July 20, I awoke to find that the world’s richest man had taken an 11-minute trip to space in the comfort of his Blue Origin rocket. Just when I thought 2021 can’t get any weirder, there is now a space race among tech billionaires to see who will launch space tourism to the public.
Is orbital tourism scientifically useless? Perhaps. Space exploration has long been pivotal in the history of astrophysics and engineering. In fact, Bezos’ space obsession was influenced by a physicist who proposed moving to the solar system that could “easily support a trillion humans” and perhaps “a thousand Einsteins and a thousand Mozarts”.
While exploring space may help us develop new technologies and learn about unsolved cosmic mysteries, 2021 is not the right time to start the race.
As an aspiring economist, I cannot help but shudder at the reality we live in. Tech billionaires are flaunting their wealth by spending on thrill rides in space and diverting their resources away from resolving global crises like climate change. Within a month, we already have the carbon-emitting Amazon rainforest, unstable Gulf Stream, and scorching Southern Europe. It’s never too late to overcome global challenges if resourceful people choose to focus on them and not on touring space.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/20/science/bezos-blue-origin-space.html
“Who Decides What a Champion Should Wear?”
The Norwegian female handball players were fined because they wanted to wear spandex shorts rather than bikini bottoms. This team chose to wear shorts most likely to be more modest, and so they could perform better. People should be able to have a choice of what they can wear to sports. The rules for what women can wear in the Olympics have changed overtime and have gotten a little better. Female gymnasts can wear shorts over their leotards, like men do. For beach volleyball, women have a choice to wear shorts and a tank top, which is what men wear. They still have the choice to wear a bikini if they’d like. However, most women decide to wear a bikini because it is the most comfortable for them. This is how it should be, with women being able to decide what they wear to play their sports. Most of the time, women will choose to wear the more revealing uniforms because they find it easier to play and perform to the best of their abilities. Men are also forced to wear more revealing uniforms in some aquatic sports. The rules have to be adjusted to give men more choices for what types of uniforms they can wear.
“They Were Just Children”
Print edition
Potential doctors, artists, leaders; innocent youth with promising futures. Dead. Countless young faces gazed back at me from NYT’s front page. 60+ of them, loving, dreaming, smiling.
It could’ve been her.
It was 2019. I was just 13, crossing the border from the West Bank to Israel. I first saw her, fingers drumming against the bus window, jazz music blasting. As the bus approached the checkpoint, our eyes met, and a shy smile broke out on the girl's face. I waved. Two strangers, albeit of similar age, who spoke different languages and seemingly had nothing in common created an endearing moment that transcended any artificial barriers. It was then that reality knocked on our door and a clear line was drawn. As the Palestinians were paraded down the road by the armed IDF soldiers like criminals in chains to be further examined, I watched on solemnly, as, although we were both children, she was Palestinian. I was not.
It could've been her on the front page, but this time, it was 6-month-old Ibrahim, hardworking Bashar, and passionate musician Nadine. All so young like bus girl; all with unique stories cut short. This piece raises a stark reminder that amid conflict, the suffering of the people on the ground should never be “swept under the rug” as they are the most visceral reflections of atrocities committed on innocents. This simple yet powerful grid of portraits reminds us to never forget.
“They were just children.” Why them?
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/opinion/culture/simone-biles-just-demonstrated-a-true-champion-mind-set.html
Simone Biles is my favorite gymnast. I've watched her grow in skill and mindset. I was a gymnast for five years so she was such an inspiration, I had even hoped that if stuck with gymnastics I could one day meet her, maybe even go against her. That sadly, didn't happen.
Simone stepping down in the olympics was the bravest, strongest thing I've ever seen her do and everyone knows all her fancy flips and moves, so it's a big thing to me. This article was an opinionated one stating that taking a break really makes her the ultimate champion and I strongly agree.
Social media completely bashed her on every site you could look at. It's so ignorant of people to do that. Some don't understand that pushing yourself past your limit, with so much pressure from other people, leads to burnout and the end of a career. Simone has such a great future and it's better to see her step down then lead to an injury that would ruin her career. A performance coach talking about Simone said: After two disappointing performances in a row, Biles was wise to stop and refresh." In my opinion, if a coach for the olympics said that it has to be accurate.
"This is what change looks like: choice.". I loved seeing this quote included. I think it perfectly describes Simone's situation. Change was so good for her and I'm so happy for her.
"Texas High School Principal Sees Racism in Calls to Remove Intimate Photos"
What I hear from this intense school board meeting isn’t a mob of angry racists terrified to lose their privileged perch or a pack of crazy liberals determined to plaster race onto everything. It’s a basic disconnect in definitions and sources.
What’s structural racism, or critical race theory, or anti-racism anyway? There’s a Instagram infographic floating out there defining systemic racism, and a New York Times editorial outlining the history of critical race theory. But it isn’t getting to those who aren’t as receptive to those ideas.
When half the country hears that critical race theory teaches white kids to hate themselves, and the other half just doesn’t want to gloss over slavery, it’s impossible to get through to each other. Especially when it comes to the all too common ad hominem attacks.
The marketplace of ideas isn’t so much a market now as trench warfare. We need to climb out — let’s talk to each other again.
'The Olympics Rely On, but don't Support, Black Girl Magic'
Kurt Streeter implies that there is too much pressure and expectation for black women athletes during the Olympics, which made me think: isn’t this racism that actually happens to be hidden sexism?
German women’s Olympic gymnasts took the decision to wear full-length unitards instead of high-cut leotards, in protest against the ‘sexualisation’ of the sport, yet it wasn’t understood by everyone.
Breastfeeding mothers competing at this year’s games publicly denounced a policy that forbade them from bringing their nursing infants to Tokyo.
Alice Dearing, a Black British woman to compete in swimming was supposed to wear the newly created Soul Cap explicitly designed to accommodate thicker, curlier hair yet the international swimming federation banned it.
Caster Semenya, who is a star of modern athletics isn’t allowed to join the Olympics because track officials have decreed that her body produces too much testosterone.
And the list goes on …
This article made me realize how racism in the Olympics could actually be hidden sexism. This doesn’t mean that racism isn’t something that is occurring right now, if we could just imagine the stress that black women have to deal with daily which is ‘the pressure to be perfect thrust at women from every direction’ due to their colour of skin but in this case, it might be hidden sexism which made me recognize how much of a burden female athletes are carrying just for being ‘women’.
“I’m Tired of Being Cynical. I’m Watching the Olympics.”
“We, Chinese, lost the table tennis final?” On July 26th, the howl from my community was enough to blow the roof off the stadium held the game. Two Chinese players cried in the interview, and I was afraid that shocked Chinese might be furious about this loss and scold them. I was wrong.
As Ms.Crouse mentions, there are so many imperfections in the Tokyo Olympics. The risks of spreading the virus, the ban of the black swimmers to use soul caps. For the Chinese audience, it is irritating when the referee ignored Japanese players’ fouls in the ping pong game. However, these faults of the Tokyo Olympics, in a way, weaken the meaning of the results of the games. We are more aware of inspiring individuals. We see flesh and blood instead of winning machines.
9years ago, the record-breaker, the Chinese hurdler Xiang Liu was abused and slandered by millions of home netizens for a “shaming failure” where he injured and could not outrun others.
In 2021, two Chinese ping-pong players got millions of congratulations for playing a great game we did not win.
It is remarkable.
This summer, I am touched more than ever watching these athletes who held on in a hard time, then shine and warm our scarred planet. A cold medal can never do that.
The pandemic slowed down our life, made us feel low, and weakened our links with others. I am sure that we can be faster, higher and stronger together again. Some of us already did.
“As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans To Wear Masks Again”
The Delta variant of COVID-19 is rapidly scything through America and far outstripping vaccination efforts. As a result, the CDC is urging the public to once again wear masks indoors. Masks do not kill or harm and they are proven to significantly mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Yet some critics are claiming it is an infringement on liberty. I learned from a philosophy course that an individual’s right to personal freedom is restricted by whether they are harming the freedoms of others through their actions. You may have the freedom to be unvaccinated, but that freedom should not be at the cost of others’ lives.
Misinformation is just as deadly as the pandemic itself. It means that thousands of entirely preventable deaths happened because people listened to conspiracy theories. One day at the park, I happened to see two yellow papers stuck to the gate that seemed to be there for a while. One said to “THINK. Masks won’t protect against a virus one micron in size.” The other said “COVID-19 Vaccines are the largest clinical trial. Keep your children safe from it.” I couldn’t believe that people in my well-off, educated neighborhood simply didn’t trust science. Those papers ended up in the trash after I angrily ripped them off.
In order to beat this pandemic, we have to comply with public health. Wear masks. Get vaxxed. Spread the official rules so we can all get through this.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/03/world/asia/china-slackers-tangping.html
Slamming shut my laptop at 1 a.m., I crawled in my bone-chilling bed. At the end of a tedious day, I unwind by lying flat on my mattress, purging all thoughts about myself. The moment was wonderful—a bubble briefly shielded me from nonstop stress.
While my bubble had a fleeting existence, many of my fellow Chinese youth take that bubble everywhere—to resist a system that chronically expects more investment for smaller returns. More competition for the same job opened a Pandora’s boxful of anxiety, thanks to government policies that fed us physically but not spiritually.
People huddle together on internet spaces to shield themselves from “996” jobs for good reason: a toxic, immoral, hyper-intensive work environment kills enthusiasm. “Lie flatters” chose to keep their identities as humans deserving respect, not participants in a huge game with no winners. Mainstream media needs to accept that “tangping” guides society towards a pursuit of inner peace instead of destitution. The perceived laziness only represents “tangping’s” extremity in rejecting an equally extreme atmosphere of competition.
Lying flat certainly appears justified but doesn’t eliminate stress. I prefer fusing work and spirituality, seeking middle ground. When material pursuits and moral goals all seem rewarding, wouldn’t people naturally do something?
Before I sleep, I might as well say: the bed is comfy. It helps me rest for tomorrow.
Covid Misinformation Comes From the Top, Too (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/opinion/covid-health-misinformation.amp.html)
Since Covid-19 has proliferated in our community, malignant misinformation has spread even more wildly online. While we are told by “experts” to listen solely to authority figures like the CDC, I can’t help but notice the conflicts of interest as these experts and authority figures are often one and the same. Thus, while individuals like Dr. Anthony Fauci certainly hold greater credible than anonymous comments and blog articles, they have told mind-boggling lies as well.
Regarding a recent announcement by the CDC regarding the spread of the Delta variant, Beth Stephens from the New York Times wrote just last week, “The C.D.C. vastly overstated the risks of outdoor spread of the virus, which (at least until the emergence of the Delta variant) appears to be closer to 0.1 percent than as high as 10 percent. Fauci lied — there’s no other word for it.” While his statement can be construed as a well-intentioned attempt to reduce viral spread by increasing public precaution, his exaggeration ultimately puts the public at risk. As public mistrust grows, future critical information may become less receptive.
While this article exposes the hidden dangers of misinformation, it has also opened up another avenue of discussion, leaving millions of citizens second-guessing the objectivity of authority figures and wondering if critical information is hidden.
Eight grueling hours, shut in one room, sweating under the blue light every day. The spinning blades of the fan absorbed my attention more than the computer in front of me ever could. At least I could feel the blow of air. At least I could hear the whoosh of the blades. At least the fan was real...more real than the pictures of my classmates on my screen. No matter how hard I tried, I could not devote my attention to my virtual math lesson. To me, the triple integrals looked more like pictures than solvable equations.
Despite my drained motivation, I quickly realized I was in a privileged position: I had the time to adjust to distance learning. 8-year-old Ximena had no such privilege.
With technological and financial obstacles, Turkewitz contends that “millions of children in Latin America may have already left the school system” during the pandemic. But Turkewitz presents an even more shocking impact: some children will never return.
Thus, we should be doing everything we can to return Latin American children to education. Education creates the opportunity to leave the poverty cycle. However, until we end the pandemic, education cannot continue to its fullest extent. While leaders argue over the politics of vaccines, it is the children in Latin America that suffer. Therefore, the first step we must take is to increase access to vaccines.
1+1 may not equal 4. But vaccines+resources=education.
The New York Times 1+1=4? Latin America Confronts a Pandemic Education Crisis.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
Many people when they hear the name Simone Biles, they think of the Olympic-winning athlete with many gold medals. But recently they have been surprised that she suddenly dropped out of the Olympics and this news made media headlines. Rumors started spreading that she hurt herself in the vault but instead what was hurting her was her mental health as reported by the New York Times that after withdrawing, Biles assured reporters she was not injured, saying, “It’s been really stressful, this Olympic Games.” She said she wasn’t certain if she would continue to compete. For a while now it has been in the media that Simone Biles dropped out of the Olympics.
According to the article “Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports” the author Jeré Longman writes “Ten years ago, or even five, an athlete of Simone Biles stature might have been reluctant to say that she struggled with pressure, much less to have withdrawn in the middle of an Olympic competition.” This means for a while Simone has been handling the pressure of everyone on her shoulders but this year it took her down.
Even the news commentators have mixed opinions about this too. Some agree with her that she should take a break on her mental health and some believe that she is a quitter because she dropped out when she is only trying to take care of her mental health.
5
1:59 am CT. Huddled on the sofa, popcorn bowl in hand, I could not contain my excitement.
2:00 am CT. My sister and I dive for the remote.
“IT’S STARTING,” I shout to my parents, as I shoot a reminder text to my friends.
It was July 3, 2020, a day that would go down in pandemic history. We soaked up the prestige that was the release of our favorite musical, Hamilton, on Disney+. When the Emmys announcements rolled around a year later with Hamilton snagging nominations, we celebrated as if we had earned the nominations ourselves.
In “Emmys 2021: Our Critics on ‘I May Destroy You,’ ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ and…‘Hamilton’?,” television critic James Poniewozik offers his opinion: Hamilton, a filmed theatrical performance, is a bizarre choice.
I disagree. Perhaps in a normal year, Hamilton would never have received a nomination. But this year was anything but normal. As we were constricted to our devices, TV became the trending page on Twitter, the icebreaker in virtual classrooms, and the most used word in my group chats. Musicals-turned-movies HAD to be released as a Disney+ series. If anything, seemingly odd nominations like Hamilton perfectly characterize the pandemic year.
For my friends and family, we owe our only sense of normalcy to TV. To us, productions like Hamilton deserve all the acclaim. I can only hope that future Emmys nominations will match this year’s befitting nature.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/13/arts/television/emmys-michaela-coel-emily-in-paris.html
A Ride to Space on Virgin Galactic? That’ll Be $450,000, Please.
The view was, literally, out-of-this-world. The Earth, covered with swirls of clouds like the milk on a cappuccino, eclipsed the dark void. I squinted my eyes as I turned to look at the fiery ball of gas in the distance. Half of the Earth hid from the sun. Its silhouette arched, and I jokingly said to myself, “guess the Earth really is round after all.”
I then took off my $300 VR headset, something I had been saving up for for the past couple of my birthdays.
Virgin Galactic finally announced their resumption into selling tickets to space after a seven year hiatus. The price of one ticket: an exorbitant $450,000. If you bought one back in 2014, it’s much more affordable. A mere $250,000. Virgin Galactic’s Chief Executive Michael Colglazier promises “great value” and that “the people who experience this journey with us can’t help but recommend it.”
Look, I get it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to space: you get an entire “four minutes of free fall and a view of Earth against the darkness of space.”
In all seriousness though, the opportunity for everyday people to visit space is a step in the right direction. Costs for Virgin Galactic to send people to space aren’t cheap, and, afterall, these commercial flights are supposed to make a profit. But until the price of these tickets drop by a few digits, I think I’ll just stick with my VR headset the next time I want to get a good view of space.
"‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years"
Growing up one of the shows I enjoyed watching with my siblings was Arthur. It played a part in my childhood as I remember being excited to turn on the tv to watch the episodes live. To finally know that the show is ending after so long is a little sad mainly due to the fact that I grew up watching it. But it makes sense as I understand that all good things do come to an end. Although I am slightly disappointed the show is ending, I'm glad on how long it's been running for, 25 years is a long time and in my eyes, an achievement. I enjoyed the mentions of Arthurs' achievements such as a Daytime Emmy as it reveals how much of an impact it's made on children's lives including mine.
"Tokyo Day 12 Highlights: Andre De Grasse Wins"
A constant pitter-patter permeated the field, as the drizzling rain steadily accumulated on the uneven track surface, forming haphazard puddles. The clouds smothered my mood as I got into my position for the 4x100 meter relay. This was the last event of the meet, but little did I know, it would be my last track and field event for the next two years.
On that overcast day in May 2019, I suffered a bone fissure in my right leg, putting me out of competition for the rest of the season. After months of recovery, I had high hopes for my events next season, but those hopes were dismantled just as quickly with the onset of the pandemic.
In 2016, Andre De Grasse, a fellow Canadian, made a smashing debut at the Rio Olympics, earning a medal in every event he appeared in—he was expected to remain a dominant force on the track for years to come. However, for the next two years, De Grasse’s training was derailed by hamstring injuries and a severe bout of mononucleosis.
This week, Andre De Grasse ran a blistering 19.62 seconds in the 200 metre dash, claiming his first ever Olympic gold medal and setting a national record. De Grasse’s tumultuous journey in track and field is an inspiring one—hopefully, by next school year, I’ll have a few more chances to go for first place as well.
"It’s a Grizzly Bear Survival Program. For Grizzly Bears."
As we follow the story in the article of the 5 orphan cubs with the struggles and hard work needed to rehabilitate them, fighting the decreasing population "in the lower 48 U.S. states where they are endangered". I was most interested in the psychology behind these animals and questioning the boundaries of natural and how it affects the animals development. Aswell as wondering exactly how successful these teams are when rehabilitating these animals.
So when attempting to try to raise an animal to the point where it will be released into the wild while not letting it get comfortable with humans, we try to control their setting in the most natural way possible. Though they would give them natural food such as "plants gathered in season from the wild skunk cabbage, saskatoon berries and dandelions plus fish, moose and deer." I do not see how this is necessarily natural for their mental development. Even as human children we learn alot of what we know through observing what our parents first and then we follow and try. For these cubs what exactly are they observing to learn to hunt, or to understand certain threats in the forest from their parents reactions. One of the rehabilitated bears met a fate due to the fact "Big grizzlies were hungry, and Moritz did not know enough to stay away.". And honestly I dont know if rehabilitating would be able to compete against the rate in which the population is decreasing.
"France Gave Teenagers $350 for Culture. They’re Buying Comic Books."
A 'culture pass' allowing students to spend up to 300 Euros on anything cultural has been instated in France recently. The concept of wanting those under 18 to experience different cultures and get out of their comfort zone has defintely been a shared interest of all adults but some don't support this solution.
Something that seemed illogical to me while reading the article is why the choice of music, e-books and the sort can only be bought from french companies, and video games can only be bought if they were manufactered nationally. As someone who plays video games with friends who come from the same country as me daily, if I would have the option to buy games for free, most my friends, including myself, would not feel the need to buy other games, thus secluding the french gaming community from the rest of the world. I understand that the French government is trying to reinvest the tax-payers money back into the French economy, but I don't believe that this is the way to accomplish this.
‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years
Ever since I was little and had my first memories of watching Arthur, I loved it. Coming home after school I always enjoyed watching Arthur to pass the time. I was always able to relate to the characters on the show, while learning valuable lessons like being able to put myself in someone else's shoes. So when I saw the title of the article, it immediately caught my attention.
Arthur has been a staple in many lives. One of the shows writers, Kathy Waugh described the show as,"makes children of all shapes and sizes feel seen" and "unlike many children’s shows that it outlived, confronted not only the experiences of the playground and classroom, but also difficult realities like bullying, the fear of death and cancer." Carol Greenwald, the executive producer of the show also said,"‘Arthur’ is the longest-running kids animated series in history and is known for teaching kindness, empathy and inclusion through many groundbreaking moments to generations of viewers,” Arthur was, and will always be an amazing show, that has impacted many lives teaching valuable lessons.
When School Is Voluntary
The fact that learning in person is more effective and beneficial to students rather than the virtual classroom setting is something that I completely agree with. In person learning has so many more benefits than remote learning such as human interaction, social skills, more hands on and tactile learning opportunities, as well as having a teacher in the room to easily clarify and answer questions. In person school also gives parents roughly eight hours a day to know that their children are under the supervision of a teacher, which allows parents to go to work or get things done while their children are in the classroom. When the switch to remote learning was made, many parents were put into a difficult situation, for parents with elementary aged children may not have felt comfortable leaving their child or children at home while they went to work, and many pay not have been able to find suitable or affordable childcare making life harder to handle. In person learning is essential to both students and parents because it offers a well rounded education to students including social skills and interactions that can be learned from, and in person learning gives parents the chance to provide for their children while knowing that they are being taken care of. Remote learning can be helpful when used in moderation or in specific situations, however, in person learning has proven to yield better results due to the effectiveness of personal connections.
"The Skateboarders Taking Over Are Among the Youngest Olympians in Tokyo"
Skateboarding is a new addition to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and has seen some fairly young competitors. I think it's a great thing that skateboarding in the Olympics has no age restriction since it is a sport that people tend to start at an early age, and it can be picked up fairly quickly. It's also a great opportunity for younger viewers to see someone their age achieving something that seems unattainable to most. While it is important for young people to have older role models to look up to, having someone their own age be a role model can also be a positive thing. It's important for kids to see someone they can relate to accomplish something so amazing because then they will be inspired to accomplish something amazing of their own.
Having young skateboarders in the Olympics can also inspire those who are only beginners at the sport realize their full potential. Someone who may only be skateboarding around their neighborhood for fun might watch someone around their own age competing at such a high level and will want to get better themselves. Something that once seemed impossible for a young person now can be a reality. This Olympics has even inspired me to get better at my own sports and improve my physical fitness. Watching these amazing young athletes proves to me that those willing to put in the time and effort can achieve greatness, no matter their age.
‘I Know I’m Not Alone’: The Importance of Mentors Right Now
As a Korean, being stuck in afterschool academies for numerous hours is the norm. On some days, I’ll be furiously solving math problems for a longer time than the time I spend with my family. Naturally, a sturdy relationship builds up between the teachers and students at hagwons. The conversations I would have with them would go beyond the scope of academics. What did I eat for lunch? Did I watch the soccer world cup match last night? Anyone watching the conversation would mistake us for siblings with a bit of an age gap.
After reading ‘I Know I’m Not Alone’: The Importance of Mentors Right Now, I’ve realized that I took these trivial conversations for granted and how much of my life was influenced by my interactions with my mentors. Which is why I believe that new ideas such as the mentor program mentioned is a great idea to help teenagers and kids during this pandemic. A good mentoro can go a long way. My athletic coaches taught me what perseverance really is. They drilled into my head the fact that winning takes all of me and more, and even then, that it might just escape my grasp. My academic teachers showed me the way to success, that every mistake was just a new opportunity for growth. Not to mention my parents, the mentors that had my back since the day I was born. All of my mentors shaped me little by little, contributing their individual puzzle pieces to the bigger picture.
“Bulgogi, Any Way You Slice It”
Although I am not Korean, bulgogi beef holds a special place in my heart. One of my most cherished high school memories is of sharing bulgogi with a close friend of mine who was born to a Korean family in the U.S. There were numerous times when we’d eat just to supplement long, homework-intensive nights where I’d help him with math, and he’d help me with chemistry. On slow, peaceful weekends, he’d share with me the intricacies of his culture and language over a plate of steaming bulgogi. Although he has since graduated, the mark he left on my life is there to stay.
Because we lived in a military academy, the ingredients and equipment needed to make “traditional” bulgogi were hard to come by. To compensate, we came up with variations of our own, the most memorable combination being microwaveable rice with bulgogi udon bowls, hot sauce from the dining hall, and sweet leaf tea to wash it all down. In that regard, I wholeheartedly agree with the article in that “there is no one way to make bulgogi.”
Although bulgogi is a traditional Korean dish, it means something different to everyone. For my friend, bulgogi became a way for him to share the culture of his home and evolve the tradition of the food he knew into something greater and more personal. For me, bulgogi transformed from just a Korean recipe into a reminder of the invaluable memories of the friendship I made. In my eyes, that is the unique tradition behind bulgogi.
“Why Vaccinated People are Getting Breakthrough Infections”
Although a vaccine can protect recipients from severe symptoms of a disease, it doesn’t mean the vaccinated are completely immune from it. We are learning that both vaccinated and unvaccinated, are contracting the delta variant of COVID-19.
Vaccinated people will get the virus just like the unvaccinated, it is just that the vaccine prevents those users from getting sick to the same degree. The main difference is in the immune response of the vaccinated, which is more effective than that of the unvaccinated-- vaccinated people tend to be less sick than their unvaccinated counterparts. Hospitalization data for COVID cases demonstrates a large benefit. “More than 97 percent of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated,” The data also indicates that immunitization has a large impact on reducing the spreading of the virus.
Many of extended family choose not to receive the vaccine because they believe it will cause them more harm. If people refuse to receive the vaccine, more variants of COVID will inevitably appear. I think the decision to allow vaccinated individuals to not wear masks indoors is unwise because vaccinated people can still carry the virus and spread it to others. Moreover, many who are unvaccinated are unlikely to wear their masks indoors, and it will be impossible to tell who is vaccinated and who is not. Therefore we should all wear a mask indoors for the benefit of the country.
“China Returns to Its Strict Covid Limits to Fight a New Outbreak”
Over the past year, there have been countless times I’ve been grateful that I live in Nanjing, China. Even though it’s only 3 hours of train from Wuhan, Nanjing has often felt a world away, thanks to the government’s strict yet effective anti-COVID policies: lockdowns, quarantine, testing, and vaccination.
But a recent outbreak of the Delta variant has broken my sense of security. When news first broke, my family and I were so frightened that we wiped down every surface in our house with alcohol and started in-house temperature checks three times a day. Fortunately, our government mirrored our concern—all residents of Nanjing were asked to take a nucleic acid test within three days—and that was just the first round of test—to detect the variant’s spread, and everyone complied. Fortunately, these measures helped keep our city safe.
Reading this article reminded me of the sacrifices we’ve made during the pandemic, but it also reminded me that those sacrifices were worth it. It gave me hope that other countries can follow our example and help put COVID to rest once and for all. The sacrifices—renewed lockdowns and quarantines, ubiquitous masks and testing centers, the feeling of insecurity and uncertainty—may be steep, but the alternative is unimaginably worse.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/opinion/the-argument-politics-at-work.html
My mom worked in a foreign company in China. She once received an e-mail from a senior manager in the global head office. Mainly talking about work, the senior manager implied his political tendency in the e-mail. I was surprised that even in China, my mom was still influenced by politics in another country while working only because she worked in a foreign country. This story first brought this question in to my mind.
What interests me the most isn’t “talking politics at work”. Instead, it is “be able to”. Therefore, this question isn’t talking about whether talking politics at work is good or not and whether we should do so. It is about the right or the ability of the boss to stop workers from doing so. Thus, this question is somehow more than talking politics at work, it is a question that involves right and freedom.
In my opinion, discussing political problems is acceptable, but I also fully understand why some companies try to stop staffs from doing so. They try to avoid quarrels between workers and troubles the companies might get in because of some statements. I believe that all of us should always remember that people should welcome different opinions and these differences should not affect cooperation. In addition, these opinions should only be personal thoughts and shared by personal channels, not officially.
“Police in China Detain Canadian Pop Star on Suspicion of Rape”
When I first read that university student Du Meizhu had accused Canadian singer Kris Wu of sexual assault, my first instinct was that this was just a publicity stunt. Alongside many of my male friends, I criticized and suspected Ms. Du. I took Mr. Wu’s actions as unserious play. When Beijing police arrested Mr. Wu this week, I found myself reconsidering my initial reaction. I woke up to my ignorance.
As a high school student in China, I have little reason to think about my female classmates’ lives; my days are spent completing homework and studying for exams. My school has no required sex education and does not emphasize gender equality. In this atmosphere, I too often become complacent; as head of the physics club, I just assumed that girls are uninterested in physics and never awarded them responsibility. While physics club is a relatively minor matter, as I continue to think, I have realized that these actions are indicative of how rarely I observe and consider the world from women’s perspective.
Indifference and unfairness towards women are far too pervasive in Chinese society today. As a Chinese youth, I hope that my country can become fairer for all its citizens, both female and male. Forging a fairer China will require difficult self-reflection, but I know that this reflection will be worthwhile if, in the future, fewer women are subjected to the same criticism and scrutiny faced by Ms. Du.
‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years
“ Hurry up! The show is about to start!” my younger brother howled, as he ran toward the tv as fast as Usain Bolt; trying to get comfortable before the theme song started. After a hard long day of school , all we wanted to do is see the brown aardvark walking down the street. We felt like we earned a couple episodes after writing cursive and learning multiplication all day.
Throughout our school years, my brother and I had seen many episodes of the show connecting with the aardvark, who we thought was a bunny and his other animal friends. Although we didn’t bother to fathom the lesson shown in each episode, it was a show that always shifted our mood during the day. Now in my final year of high school with episodes still running; I thought that the show would go on forever since it was the longest-running kids animated series in history, however, all good things must come to an end.
The ending of the show as Isabella Grullón Paz described left people mourning but reflecting on the success. The news of Arthur ending left me in shock. Another childhood show ending its production, joining the likes of shows like Caillou and Reading Rainbow. Another show added to the hall of fame of kids shows. The question I have now is why cancel it now? Why after 25 years did they stop the production? I don’t have the answers to these questions, but one thing is undeniably clear: It will become a show that will give us a nostalgic experience.
"Hands Off the Library’s Picture Collection!"
This article by Arthur Lubow piqued my interest because of the simple words "picture collection." It's interesting, that rather than books or just regular texts, a library would have an archive of photographs. It does make sense, especially since the collection of photos was founded in 1915, an era way before our modern one, in which people had no access to the internet or even cameras (if they were of the lower class). This collection was used by many. Such as Andy Warhol (even though he never returned the pictures), Art Spiegelman, Wynn Thomas and many more. In short, this collection was used by artists, movie directors, and even handbag designers as a means of inspiration and/or research.
Today though, it would seem that to many, this collection would serve no purpose. I mean we have Google, don't we? We can just look up photographs of whatever era we wish for research, for inspiration and et cetera. So this collection serves no purpose. Well, I disagree. Before this collection was closed off to the public as a means to preserve it from wear or theft, it was open to the public. People were able to see and touch the photos, they were able to see the "quirks of human choice." Since you can hold the photograph, you can flip it around, see it at different angles, see its wear and tear; in short, you can see its history--its character. Whereas Google gives you a "stream of predictability" and popularity; so zero character.
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
Two weeks was how long my school said we would be gone. Little did I know that those two weeks would turn into months, and then a year. What started as a nice break from school ended up being a year of isolation and binge-watching Netflix.
The pandemic affects everyone differently. Especially affecting homes with kids in elementary school. While teenagers didn't need much help from their parents with school, younger kids did. This made the time that parents spent taking care of their kids per day increase drastically. Especially in homes with single mothers, with them spending almost three extra hours a day on child care. This also affected the time spent at the workplace making it shorter. Parents had to figure out how to balance working at home and taking care of their children full time.
I believe that it is safe to say that this pandemic affected everyone's lives and routines differently. Changing the way we spend our time completely. And even though it isn't quite over yet, it most definitely was a strange year.
"This Is Our Chance to Pull Teenagers Out of the Smartphone Trap"
During the pandemic, students across the world have been forced to study and work online. The author of this article explained how phones are harmful to students. In fact, I have a distinct view on this problem. Phones might impact children’s mental health negatively since they can access harmful and addictive content that is posted online. However, if they don’t use smartphones, how can they maintain contact with others during the pandemic? Therefore, this highlights the importance of mobile phones even more. Homework also presents a dilemma for students. No teacher wants to call each student individually to announce the day’s homework. The most effective and frequently used method of assigning homework is to send a message in a group chat. Students have been lonely for a year due to pandemic restrictions. But with mobile phones, students don’t have to be so lonely. In their spare time, they can listen to music, play games, and do anything they want. Parents and teachers can't simply deprive them of this important tool. As a student myself, I don’t have time to be addicted to my smartphone, since I always have a large amount of homework in all subjects. Surprisingly, I’m not as lonely as you might think because I can talk to friends on facetime or in a group chat. That brings me comfort and joy. All in all, I believe that smartphones have many redeeming features, and should remain a part of our lives.
"This Is Our Chance to Pull Teenagers Out of the Smartphone Trap"
During the pandemic, students across the world have been forced to study and work online. The author of this article explained how phones are harmful to students. In fact, I have a distinct view on this problem. Phones might impact children’s mental health negatively since they can access harmful and addictive content that is posted online. However, if they don’t use smartphones, how can they maintain contact with others during the pandemic? Therefore, this highlights the importance of mobile phones even more. Homework also presents a dilemma for students. No teacher wants to call each student individually to announce the day’s homework. The most effective and frequently used method of assigning homework is to send a message in a group chat. Students have been lonely for a year due to pandemic restrictions. But with mobile phones, students don’t have to be so lonely. In their spare time, they can listen to music, play games, and do anything they want. Parents and teachers can't simply deprive them of this important tool. As a student myself, I don’t have time to be addicted to my smartphone, since I always have a large amount of homework in all subjects. Surprisingly, I’m not as lonely as you might think because I can talk to friends on facetime or in a group chat. That brings me comfort and joy. All in all, I believe that smartphones have many redeeming features, and should remain a part of our lives.
"Heart problems following vaccination in the U.S. are uncommon and short-lived, researchers reported"
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has, undoubtedly, brought with it an era of extreme controversy which is palpable to all. In the beginning, people quarreled over how we should handle the pandemic with certain restrictions, and now there is a new conflict regarding vaccinations- often over their relative safety.
This article comments on this conflict, addressing a recent claim I have heard about how vaccines can cause heart problems. According to the article, studies have shown that "for every one million Americans immunized with a coronovirus vaccine, about 60 develop temporary heart problems," which are all mild cases and are often treated in days.
As someone who is fully vaccinated and lives with others who are also, this article caught my attention. It is reassuring to know that my family and I are unlikely to develop any conditions. At the same time, the information presented in the article leads me to wonder if the vaccines truly cause potentially serious side effects, as 60 people out of a million seems insignificant. Could it just be coincidental that these people developed heart problems after receiving the vaccine? Well, what seems to surely not be a coincidence is the amount of people my age getting heart problems after actually getting the virus- 876 people out of a million. Seems that it is better to be vaccinated than unvaccinated.
The Olympics are some of the most coveted sporting events in the world. It really catches my eye how many sports, and athletes for those sports, there are to watch. One of these newer, Olympic sports is skateboarding. I really love how the younger generation (13 year olds!) are taking part in these Olympic final. To see the older more experienced clash with the youngsters is truly a spectacle. Seeing these older athletes reaction to the youngsters is really interesting as they are very impressed, and welcoming.
"A Son of Gabriel García Márquez Tenderly Recalls His Parents"
I remember those mornings spent reading when I was thirteen and the air still smelled of bitter almonds. During those early years of my adolescence, my mind metamorphosed like an innocent yellow butterfly, as I slowly abandoned that world so recent that many things lacked names, and to indicate them it was necessary to point. And it was him, García Márquez, who baptized them for me.
Gabo is my favorite author and his books have often been a shelter for me. In his novels, life is never less painful, but it is always beautiful. The subtle fantasy inside his stories invites me to read them with the curiosity that sparkles only inside children’s eyes. It is as if, with every word, I was a little Aureliano Buendía discovering ice for the first time.
Reading this review of ‘A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes’ hurt me a little bit. It reminded me that García Márquez, who opened to me the doors to magical worlds that sheltered me from the darkest corners of reality, was at the end of the day a real person who lived a real life, far from yellow butterflies nor ancient ships lost in the jungle. And, despite that, it seems to me that he brought into his personal life the same intimate beauty from his novels.
I always used his books as an escape from reality. Maybe, it is time for me to become the narrator of my existence, before the ants of time slowly devour all the potential beauty in it.
"A Master Class in How to Wipe Out"
If I had a dollar for every time I fell, I would have a nice chunk of change. And not just your average physical trip and fall-- a genuine plunge in my mental and emotional wellbeing. From a toxic relationship with my mother to social anxiety and depression, I have scars that surpass far beyond my physical domain. Though Reynolds maintained an athletic mindset, I couldn't help but think about the impact her message could have on our lives. The good it could do if we all found comfort in our missteps and bad days and treated them as golden opportunities to improve ourselves.
31-year-old world champion skateboarder Ryan Sheckler said, ''If you aren’t falling, you aren’t learning. You have to hit the ground to progress''. He said those words in regards to his esteemed sport, but I see them as a life lesson everyone should be privy to. We may not recognize it at the time, but we go through difficulties in life to grow as people. To transform into warriors capable of overcoming any obstacle. We have to have those moments of vulnerability; see them, accept them, and to move forward from them. Falling teaches us that things can be unfavorable but that there are always opportunities to get back up.
The article goes further to discuss the intricacies of how to properly fall --which, I could discuss those parallels all day-- but my biggest takeaway is that we're meant to fall. We're meant to feel it. And we're to get up and try again.
How walking can build up the brain
This article shows the link between frequent exercise and the function of the brain. The study says exercise, including walking, can build up the white matter in the brain, which helps people memorize and not forget. It also states that frequent exercise can prevent brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
I am a student and I spent a lot of time on the chair in front of my desk. However, when I just sit on my chair without working out, I feel heavy. My brain won’t perform at its maximum and gets overheated. So I work out every day after having lunch. Working out makes my fatigue go away and lets me perform well on the given task whether the task is something related to my brain power or my physical ability. My friends and the media have constantly told me that exercise leads to a healthier and more productive life, which is quite obvious. But the beneficial and positive effect given by exercise is quite bigger than anyone might expect.
Because I had positive experiences from working out constantly, I’m not surprised by the result of the study shown in the article. This article gives people more reasons to work out and tend to live healthier lives. I don’t want to cause trouble to my family by catching Alzheimer's or other brain diseases. I don’t want to cause trouble for not remembering where my home is and not memorizing the faces of my loved ones.
“I No Longer Want to Shop”
I’m addicted to shopping. If I had hundreds of dollars to spare, I’d spend it on clothes, shoes, accessories, and anything that catches my eye. In middle school, I took every opportunity to go to the mall and waste money on clothes I would never wear. Messing around in Bath and Body Works, window shopping at stores that were out of budget, and carrying bags of clothes made a trip to the mall feel like a “successful day.” And like Erin Aubry Kaplan, I awaited the day I could go to the mall again.
As Covid-19 calmed down in early 2021, I went to many malls, trying to cure the boredom that sickened me for almost a year. But each time, I was less inclined to go. Partly because I didn’t like the feeling of being around so many people (thanks Covid), but mainly because online shopping completely changed retail therapy for me.
When summer started, my first desire was to shop my heart out. Instead of driving twenty minutes to create a new wardrobe, I went on the different apps on my phone. All the sales appeared online, while only full-priced items were in store. And there was a greater variety of clothes on the web.
Package after package arrived. Trying on new items was pure excitement. But as my addiction persisted, I responded with a shopping ban.
When I return to shopping, it’ll be mostly online. I aim to be more intentional with my purchases. I don’t need to waste any more money on clothes that survive only one outing and harm the planet.
What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?
Actually, my knowledge of holograms started way before I read this article, in 2020, when I watched a video of a Korean mother meeting her deceased daughter through an AI avatar. The interaction was so touching, and it amazed me by how much technology has developed, but after reading the article, it brought new perspectives to the table.
After reading the article, it did make me wonder how I would feel when my personal text messages, videos, and pictures are in the hands of others to be used freely when I am dead. Jean-Paul Sartre said, “to be dead is to be a prey for the living,” and for a second it summed up my worries of what my digital footprint would become of. For example, celebrities have so much influence that by reviving them, they could be seen as being exploited by companies, but, I think we are missing something valuable.
Yes, this new technology could be exploited, but after watching Kim Kardashian meeting her father’s hologram and a Korean mother reuniting with her daughter, I think the happiness to meet someone you love again was the main goal of AI technology. A lot of people say, “I wish to see him or her in my dreams for the last time,” and I think it stems from being able to remember loved ones even when they are long gone and wish for them to be at their sides again. I think that is love. Because of this, I would be more than willing to bring joy to my loved ones through my holograms, when I am long dead.
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“In 1972, Hockey’s Cold War Boiled Over”
Going into the Summit Series, the two teams were portrayed as cultural and political enemies. They are fighting for their government, their country, their ideology. However, throughout the series, the interpretation of the games saw a complete reversal. While Canadians felt assured that they had the victory, they also developed a deep respect for the abilities of Soviets as non-professional players. These events also provided a means for both countries to establish respect, engaging in a war of pride, not guns. Ultimately, both sides were left proud. Because the so-called non-professional Soviet players played so professionally, Canada learned to respect them. Although the first Soviet player in the NHL entered many years later in 1989, Canada and the USSR continued to exchange players often granting a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience each other’s society. Moreover, this exchange distinguished Canada further from the United States in the Cold War; bettering relations between Canada and the USSR. The 1972 Summit Series was an important moment in Canadian history. Through a cultural shock on the ice, both countries developed a respect for one another and learned more about a game both countries loved. The eight-game series brought pride to both nations. The Canadian hockey team is able to say they won a hard-fought series of games, providing arguably the most exciting games that both countries had ever seen.
"The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most"
There is a wide myth surrounding education: that it is a meritocracy. Many students grind endlessly in high school, but are surprised to see that their perfect scores did not grant them acceptances to elite institutions. In 2019, the college admissions scandal sent shockwaves in the US education system, dispelling paradigms that college admissions is just. But what if, education inequality starts from the early days when children start reading?
In "The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most,” we are faced with a shrilling conclusion that from early on, some children are primed to be more academically competent than others, particularly those from high-income and white families. In the pandemic, all children’s math and writing skills fell behind, but Hispanic children, followed by Black children, faced the steepest drop in reading and math skills.
This unfairness in education permeates into every aspect of society, pushing plenty of deserving kids out of the ladder of social mobility. From early on, some children are just more in shape academically due to their privilege. So by the time high school catches up to them, they may already be at a higher level in academics compared to their lower-income peers. From expensive varsity sports, to SAT tutoring, higher income kids are favoured in college admissions.
It’s time that we acknowledge the deeply flawed system, and work to combat it by making equitable changes.
“This ‘Shazam’ for Birds Could Help Save Them”
I grew up in Wisconsin, a state of vast fields, plentiful bodies of water, and forests bordering yards. Throughout elementary school, my classes went on excursions through the woods; we identified trees, listened to birds, and tracked animal prints in the snow. Once, our teacher played a recording of a chickadee call and soon, the little black-capped fellows flitted through the trees around us. This, I suppose, is how I became so attached to birds.
Birds rule the skies, a realm untouchable for most other animals. They’re vital to Earth’s ecosystems. And, of course, they’re just beautiful creatures - cardinals color snowy days, robins light up mornings with their tunes, and hawks soar gracefully above us. Yet, how many people truly appreciate birds in their every day lives? Will we only realize how precious they are until they’re all gone?
Today, Ms. Renkl introduced me to a new tool: Merlin. Since it’s an app that identifies bird calls, it’s something that would be most exciting to try out as a lover of birds, and as someone concerned about their declining population. There’s a certain magic in recognizing the creatures that we share our world with, especially when we often can’t see them, and this recognition is the first step to saving them.
As Ms. Renkl laments, much of the blame lies in how little we cherish the world around us. The birds disappearing from the planet leave only silence behind. That silence is deafening.
“Mail-Order Pets Rescued in China Amid Backlash”
As a big sister of a 5-year-old Labrador, seeing the video on mystery box mail order pets perturbed me, but I was not shocked. In recent years, many more people in my country of China regard animals as an essential part of their families; however, unscrupulous actors have committed horrific crimes against innocent creatures in the recesses of society.
At the root of this issue is the frenetic trend of “blind box,” which entices customers with a series of undisclosed prizes meant to increase sales. Merchants driven by enormous profits developed a new form of blind box, the “living animal blind box.” This invention especially appealed to a large audience of young people enamored with the portable size and cute appearance of small animals. While I believe that everyone should have a pet friend, the living blind boxes cause too much harm to fragile animals.
Seeing the little puppies and kittens in an unsanitary environment, I felt helpless. When I shared my thoughts with friends about the living blind boxes, some even mentioned that they had considered buying it themselves. At that moment, I realized that we still have a long way to go in seeing animals as companions, but I had to take some action. Convincing them not to buy the living blind boxes was a small step, but I know that if the video similarly touches many other people, we can create a more respectful atmosphere for animals.
Illinois Bars Police From Lying to Minors During Questioning
I was surprised to learn that minors “are two to three times more likely to falsely confess than adults” when under interrogation. Could you imagine how scary it would be for a 14-year-old being questioned with deceptive tactics in a small, soundproof room?
When I flew into the United States on my own, and I was a 14-year-old international student. Right after I handed my paperwork to the border control officer, I was told to move to an unnoticeable office at the corner of the entry lobby-Secondary Investigation Office. As nervous as those youth who were interrogated by a police officer, I was clueless about what could go wrong.
“What’s your purpose to come to the United States? And did you bring any food or wild products?” The officer asked seriously. I was frightened by his questions yet explained that I was going to Chicago for high school study. 15 minutes later, I was released.
Although the officer didn’t lie anything to me, his tones and moods gave me a feeling of scaring and “intimidating” which made me nervous and perceived I was in serious trouble. As Illinois passed the bill prohibiting the police from lying to minors, it will be less likely to imprison teenagers wrongfully. As Taylor mentioned in the article, “This law is a breakthrough in safeguarding against the wrongful convictions of young people”. Our justice system is supposed to find the truth rather than force an easy target to plea guilty.
Ms. Jin left a poor impression on me when I first heard her talk show comments about love and marriage. Being transgender, she was not a typical activist firmly voicing female autonomy. Rather, she valued traditional gender norms. Although I disagree with some of her values, reading her words defending herself as transgender, reminded me of my failure in advocating for sexual minorities.
This April, I started publishing interviews with LGBTQ peers on my Wechat account. Through nasty comments I realized many people in China misunderstand sexual minorities. Nonetheless, I never thought that my account would be banned. My last published interview was about a gay couple. I was walking in the joy of receiving many friendly comments from strangers, when I got a call from my school: stop writing articles about LGBTQ groups, otherwise, face discipline.
Why did so many people in my country believe the spread of LGBTQ culture would negatively impact teenagers? When I read “Sheʼs One of Chinaʼs Biggest Stars. Sheʼs Also Transgender.” on Ms. Jin, I deeply revered her bravery and sympathized with her lost ability to hold talk shows in China. Under threat of being muted in China, she dared to call out “I’m still a very luminous person”.
I hope one day I will become more brave and influential to advocate for sexual minorities again. Although the members and supporters of this group are few, no one has the power to mute us. We will accumulate power to speak out, to fight for LGBTQ people.
"More Prep, More Readers: When Journalists Go on the Air"
This article caught my attention because I have never thought of the article’s subject before finding it. Whenever I see a reporter on the television, I never think about what it takes to make this television appearance happen.
Therefore, this article was very interesting to me because it revealed what did the reporters think before making the television appearance and what did they do in order to prepare for it.
“Are You a Bad Person for Watching the Olympics?”
As a teen entering the adult world, I have started to realize the importance of living ethically. I hope that by supporting ethical movements and organizations, as well as opposing unethical behaviors, I will be able to do my part in creating a more moral and progressive society. This desire to live ethically, as well as my love for the Olympics, quickly drew my attention to the essay.
In the essay, Sarah Mudd explains that the Olympics is laden with “corruption, cheating, the abuse of athletes,” hefty environmental impacts, and the spreading of Covid-19. Mudd then attempts to answer the following questions: Should we, as viewers, feel responsible for the unethicality of the Olympics? If so, is it wrong for us to watch it?
Mudd concludes the essay by explaining that “choosing to watch the Games... is perfectly compatible with these efforts [to live morally].” This conclusion resonated with me because it represents the sacrifice that living ethically can create, and how that sacrifice might not always be worth it. Deciding to not watch the Olympics would not affect the Olympic Committee, but it would deny me the opportunity to be inspired by the stories of the amazing athletes participating in the games and to witness the love and respect shown among the athletes from different countries and backgrounds. Although it has its flaws, the Olympics games are truly spectacular, so we should be able to watch it guilt-free.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/health/covid-cdc-masks-vaccines-delta-variant.html
After a long year and a few months, it seemed like life was 'normal' again. People relaxed, took their masks off - if they had them on to begin with- and looked forward to life without Covid. This was in large part due to the fact that many people were getting vaccinated, and herd immunity wasn't far from being achieved. There seemed to be a sense of relief when the CDC stated masks weren't necessary if you were vaccinated and outdoors, as for the past year all we heard was how dangerous the virus was.
However, with news of an even more deadly variant, people shouldn't put their masks in storage just yet. Due to the fact that a notable size of the population doesn't believe in the vaccine, herd immunity will not be accomplished as soon as most would have hoped for. Additionally, the vaccination doesn't prevent sickness from the new strain. All signs point in the direction that having another year like 2020 isn't an unrealistic prediction. This leaves an interesting dynamic as most people are very happy and relieved to have just gotten the news masks aren't fully mandated. Will having to revert back to old habits mean people are sick of being told what to do, or will they stay responsive, alert, and continue to listen to the science?
"One Case, Total Lockdown: Australia’s Lessons for a Pandemic World"
It was an ordinary Friday after midterm when my friends and I went bowling. That day, 29 local transmitted cases were reported. We thought it wasn’t a big deal: the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) would do their job then everything would be back to normal. However, things went wrong this time. The next day, 180 local transmissions were transmitted and Taipei went into semi-lockdown. Four days later, the whole island went into semi-lockdown.
At the start of the outbreak, a tweet was widely reported: Taiwan will show the world how to lift a semi-lockdown in two weeks. Well, it took us two months. Despite having a year of preparation, everything that happened around the world happened here in Taiwan.
Damien Cave is basically trying to say that how Australia deals covid with lockdowns and criticizing Europe and US for their “half baked” lockdowns in One Case, Total Lockdown: Australia’s Lessons for a Pandemic World.
If we had implemented a lockdown like Australia, we might have had a great chance of getting back to unit digits local transmitted cases in two weeks. The identities of local transmission cases made it difficult for contact tracing. Thus, if the CECC immediately implemented lockdown or semi-lockdown, it would buy more time for contact tracers. No matter what, the outbreak is now under control and semi-lockdown has been lifted. Excited to throw football with my friends!
“Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set”
"Jump off the board!" the coach shouted at me. I didn't listen because I thought I could hold out a little longer. The next moment, though, I fell, and a strong current swept me up. I felt pain all over my body.
I didn't know I could have another choice at that time because my subconscious told me that persistence is victory. I should never give up, like what the Olympic spirit taught.
My surf experience can’t compare to Biles'. Still, I can imagine the struggle Biles went through when she decided to withdraw from the all-around competition. When she stood in front of the vault, carrying the high expectations of her fans, her country, and the entire gymnastics community, she had a choice: sacrifice herself like Kerri Strug or quit. Her decision was brave yet controversial. She seemed to stand on the opposite side of traditional sportsmanship. She redefined the Olympic spirit—not for glory at all costs or to challenge the limits, but to have “the space to make the right choice despite pressure, stress, and fatigue.” Young Instagram users spread the tag “#simonebilesmentalhealth,” inspired by her message that they don't have to risk the rest of their lives for one shot at glory.
I learned the power of saying, “Enough.” When I didn’t jump off my surfboard, I viewed that word as a sign of weakness. But I now see its strength; stepping off of my surfboard today gives me another chance to challenge the waves tomorrow.
"Unvaxxed, Unmasked and Putting Our Kids at Risk"
This article could not have come at a better time as we get ready to go back to school. And I wish to thank the author. The most vulnerable group at risk of contracting COVID-19 and even dying from its complications are children below 12 years. Another group is children 12 years and above who must depend on their parent's decision to get vaccinated. As I watched our local news today, I saw and heard Governor DeSantis of Florida state his firm support for parents' rights to choose what is in the best interest of their children. While I do not believe in "mandates," I think politics should stay separate from medical science. Sadly, there is politics in everything about the COVID-19 infection and disease. I guess we children have some role to play in the shaping of policies in our country. I recently visit the Pigeon Forge in Tennessee in the company of our parents. To my amazement, children 12 years of age and above held the same status as adults in restaurants. My point is that we should not be sequestered only at restaurants because we eat as much as adults. We can change the mindset of naysayers to the COVID-19 Vaccinations and mask-wearing recommendations through school programs that objectively address "misinformation or conspiracy theories" and lack of trust in our Government.
School programs that promote COVID-19 vaccination and mask-wearing, such as debate and art shows, can change their community.
"The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most"
While scrolling TikTok, I saw a joke about how future doctors may not be qualified enough to cure patients. Why? Because they graduated through virtual learning. The idea of a doctor not knowing what to do when a patient has a broken arm seemed quite dark, but I thought it was hilarious.
However, after reading Sarah Mervosh’s piece, I realized that the joke may have been a prediction of the future after all. Mervosh emphasizes the detriment of online education in math and reading. Although I’ve also experienced some difficulties in online learning, I never realized the effect of the pandemic would be that huge like the statistics Mervosh presents in her article. Thinking of the dark future that may be resulted from this education crisis, I got extremely concerned about the world that will be led by the following generations. Doctors may not know how to perform surgeries. Pharmacists may prescribe the wrong medications.
Nevertheless, if we improve and adapt the educational system to our current situation, I believe that the dark future I just illustrated may not happen. Also, to add some hope, as the global vaccination rate is increasing, we’re only getting closer to a future in which the majority of the schools will finally open and students will be able to catch up. Hopefully, in the future, I wouldn’t die from wrong medications.
The crisis of climate change and its horrifying effects called for a sufficient solution that would combat the possibility of further damage. As one who obtains immense concern regarding the harmful effects of climate change upon future generations, it is relieving to find a beginning to a solution in the article, “Biden Announces Record Amount of Climate Resilience Funding”, by Christopher Flavelle. Here, it is mentioned that an effort to protect citizens from natural disasters which result from climate change is accomplished through the distribution of $3.5 billion in federal funds to the states. It is immensely satisfying to see constant progress in eliminating this crisis through the continuous efforts of individuals, which is specifically shown when Flavelle emphasizes that federal funding towards the prevention of climate change had “previously been hard to imagine''. This demonstrates that through prioritizing not only future generations, but the health of our only home, Earth, matters that may seem impossible to carry out can be fulfilled by having a motive of selflessness and love. That which seems to be impossible is not achieved through having an outlook that is based upon the acceptance of an issue. Through altruistic efforts that focus on the notion that there is no Planet B, however, the impossible becomes possible. During a time when negative news is ordinary, I am exceedingly grateful to receive an uplifting message that ensures an enhanced future for Earth.
The crisis of climate change and its horrifying effects called for a sufficient solution that would combat the possibility of further damage. As one who obtains immense concern regarding the harmful effects of climate change upon future generations, it is relieving to find a beginning to a solution in the article, “Biden Announces Record Amount of Climate Resilience Funding”, by Christopher Flavelle. Here, it is mentioned that an effort to protect citizens from natural disasters which result from climate change is accomplished through the distribution of $3.5 billion in federal funds to the states. It is immensely satisfying to see constant progress in eliminating this crisis through the continuous efforts of individuals, which is specifically shown when Flavelle emphasizes that federal funding towards the prevention of climate change had “previously been hard to imagine''. This demonstrates that through prioritizing not only future generations, but the health of our only home, Earth, matters that may seem impossible to carry out can be fulfilled by having a motive of selflessness and love. That which seems to be impossible is not achieved through having an outlook that is based upon the acceptance of an issue. Through altruistic efforts that focus on the notion that there is no Planet B, however, the impossible becomes possible. During a time when negative news is ordinary, I am exceedingly grateful to receive an uplifting message that ensures an enhanced future for Earth.
The crisis of climate change and its horrifying effects called for a sufficient solution that would combat the possibility of further damage. As one who obtains immense concern regarding the harmful effects of climate change upon future generations, it is relieving to find a beginning to a solution in the article, “Biden Announces Record Amount of Climate Resilience Funding”, by Christopher Flavelle. Here, it is mentioned that an effort to protect citizens from natural disasters which result from climate change is accomplished through the distribution of $3.5 billion in federal funds to the states. It is immensely satisfying to see constant progress in eliminating this crisis through the continuous efforts of individuals, which is specifically shown when Flavelle emphasizes that federal funding towards the prevention of climate change had “previously been hard to imagine''. This demonstrates that through prioritizing not only future generations, but the health of our only home, Earth, matters that may seem impossible to carry out can be fulfilled by having a motive of selflessness and love. That which seems to be impossible is not achieved through having an outlook that is based upon the acceptance of an issue. Through altruistic efforts that focus on the notion that there is no Planet B, however, the impossible becomes possible. During a time when negative news is ordinary, I am exceedingly grateful to receive an uplifting message that ensures an enhanced future for Earth.
Why You Should Care About Your Right to Repair Gadgets
This week, I read an article about the right to repair. It's an issue I had already cared about, but was interested in learning more about it.
An analogy the article uses is a car- you wouldn't throw one out just because it stopped working, at least not before attempting to repair it. So why then, has it become so commonplace to discard phones at the first sign of disrepair, something that would be unthinkable for other expensive devices? According to the article, among other reasons, it's because genuine replacement parts are hard to come by for anyone but authorized shops, proprietary software tools are usually required, and the aforementioned shops usually charge so much that customers just resort to buying a new device.
By making their devices difficult to repair, companies are providing an incentive for customers to continuously buy their devices, which is incredibly wasteful and expensive. As the article mentioned, "energy, metals, plastics and human labor" are 'invested in creating the product". With the rising amount of e-waste in landfills, this hurts both the environment and the consumer, for the sake of squeezing out as much profit as possible.
Fortunately, the FTC has concluded that their is little evidence to support manufacturers qualms about accessible repairs. With the advent of new policies put forth, positive change might be coming.
In a World Let Loose, Video Game Makers Are ‘Doubling Down’
For the past year, I have been preparing my first ever video game for release. Last year I set a goal to get my game out in three months...then it became six months...and now it's late August. It's no secret that people have played a lot more video games during the pandemic. Thus, to get the best bang for my buck, I was completely set on releasing my game very early in quarantine.
However, as time passed, I realized that my expectations for releasing my game were unrealistic. I decided that I wasn't going to release a low-quality product just because game popularity was so high. However, a part of me also felt that each day, a golden opportunity for sales was slipping by.
However, this article completely changed my perception of the game release process, describing how companies are not backing down from a possible decrease in revenue due to a waning pandemic. Companies are actually increasing their game investment and keeping prices steady. This is a risky strategy, considering that revenues need to cover more costs during a time when sales can dramatically decrease.
Seeing companies invest more into their games now than ever before gave me confidence that I made the right decision to delay the release process. Companies' sales have also shown a steady increase, which tells me that games will continue to have a place in our market. That does put a smile on my face.
“‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years”
I remember waking up eagerly on Saturday mornings tip-toeing downstairs to secretly take the IPad up to my room and watch Arthur until being called down for breakfast. I’ve been watching Arthur for almost 9 years now. It's not just a television show but a part of my childhood that taught me the silly and serious topics of daily life, including the struggles with friendships, families, traveling, cancer, and relationships.
Rewatching episodes gives me the nostalgia of rushing home after a rough day and indulging in the colorful animation of goofy characters, heartfelt messages, and unique art in each episode. I realize that my favorite part of the show is the validation and relatability this show offered . Many other shows portray picture-perfect families with simple, carefully planned interactions. In contrast, Kathy Waugh, one of the show’s writers, explains how Arthur offers validation for “children’s ‘bad feelings, their mad feelings, their hurt,’ and sought to help children grow and shape their worlds.” It gives viewers the unique opportunity to recognize the normality in having anger and sadness and that they are what makes us human and relatable. After almost 25 years, this unique, one of a kind show is coming to an end, grateful for the long run of more than two decades, award winnings, and goofy, relatable memes produced.
I never enjoyed shopping as much as most of the girls my age did. Of course, I feel prettier and walk more confidently in a new dress and edgy sandals, but I rarely spend my afternoons in shopping malls. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Erin Aubry Kaplan, wrote, in “I No Longer Want to Shop”, about her diminishing interest in wandering down isles, through make-ups and t-shirts. Like almost everyone, she first turned to online shopping for temporary comfort; yet she soon realized the multiple benefits of shopping in malls. Ms. Kaplan adopted a “more focused and intentional” way of buying necessities, which she considered as a “start” of a more thrifty lifestyle after the pandemic.
I believe in the intrinsic value of occasionally browsing shopping malls to see what’s out there, but in the main these pale to the colorful moments of opening a just-delivered UPS box at my front door, containing the fresh inky smell of my new Collector's Edition books or the soft flow of a new silk scarf. During the seemingly-never ending pandemic these packages bring us a small, meaningful, joy lifting us up from the daily stats of new cases and death tolls. Once the pandemic finally ends (it will eventually, right?) I, like many others, will cherish the freedom of breathing without a mask, without fear, citrus-scented air in shopping centers more than ever, but, for now, I get a little kick each time a UPS package shows up at my door.
“How to Calm Your Climate Anxiety”
From the saguaro cacti sprinkled across the Sonoran Desert in my early stomping grounds contrasted by my current purlieus of pine trees in the lush Connecticut River Valley, I have always been immersed in nature.
On a trip to my childhood home a decade after I moved, I soaked in a setting straight from a postcard, realizing that little had changed. However, reading about Greg Kochanowski’s similar return to his old neighborhood, albeit with a much different outcome, left me floored.
Living in a progressive, tree-hugging community during my developing years instilled a sense of dread in me surrounding the topic of climate change. I recognized the same knot in my stomach when I hid under the covers from the fictional monsters under my bed as when I listened to well-meaning adults parrot platitudes borrowed from news cycles reporting the real impacts of anthropogenic global warming.
Mr. Kochanowski acknowledges “that level of realization makes you feel a little helpless.” This article nails how anyone can combat climate anxiety: embrace your emotions, get personal with the problem, isolate individual ways to react, and make them count. Channeling our suppressed emotions into tangible actions is the only way we will summit the growing mountain that we have yet to actively climb.
What will my home look like in another ten years? Only time will tell. In the meantime, you won’t find me sitting on the sidelines. I’ll be on the playing field.
"The Skateboarders Taking Over Are Among the Youngest Olympians in Tokyo"
When someone mentions the Olympics, I think of people coming together globally, typically in their 20s or 30s, competing in various sports against other countries to get the golden medal. I think of sports like basketball, diving, swimming, or running. I would never imagine people 13 years old skateboarding in the Olympics until now.
I couldn't imagine representing my country in the Olympics, especially if I was 13 years old. While I was scrolling to find an article this caught my eye. I clicked on it and started reading it to find out how interesting it really is. Two 13 year old skateboarders went head to head in the Olympics to determine the winner of the women's street competition. This was a monumental moment in Olympics history. This moment proved to the world that anyone can be great and accomplish what they strive for regardless of age, race, sex, and other aspects. Whether the young athletes in the Olympics won a medal or not, "it is all part of a bigger plan". These events portray the talent and determination of the next generation of Olympic athletes. Reading this article inspired me. It make me come to the conclusion that I can reach my goal no matter how difficult the road may be. Seeing a 13 year old win a medal in the Olympics made me think of what can be done with enough determination and hard work. Talent doesn't come from age, it only comes from hard work.
"The Skateboarders Taking Over Are Among the Youngest Olympians in Tokyo"
When someone mentions the Olympics, I think of people coming together globally, typically in their 20s or 30s, competing in various sports against other countries to get the golden medal. I think of sports like basketball, diving, swimming, or running. I would never imagine people 13 years old skateboarding in the Olympics until now.
I couldn't imagine representing my country in the Olympics, especially if I was 13 years old. While I was scrolling to find an article this caught my eye. I clicked on it and started reading it to find out how interesting it really is. Two 13 year old skateboarders went head to head in the Olympics to determine the winner of the women's street competition. This was a monumental moment in Olympics history. This moment proved to the world that anyone can be great and accomplish what they strive for regardless of age, race, sex, and other aspects. Whether the young athletes in the Olympics won a medal or not, "it is all part of a bigger plan". These events portray the talent and determination of the next generation of Olympic athletes. Reading this article inspired me. It make me come to the conclusion that I can reach my goal no matter how difficult the road may be. Seeing a 13 year old win a medal in the Olympics made me think of what can be done with enough determination and hard work. Talent doesn't come from age, it only comes from hard work.
"How to Calm Your Climate Anxiety"
I don't know if I'm regretful or thankful to 9 year old me for buying a book about climate change at the school book fair. In a way it changed my life. In another sense it ruined my life. After finishing the book, I was hit by a wave of devastation and hopelessness because it seemed like there was so much to do and I was only 9. Even now, at 16, I feel hopeless at times because I can't fix this planet no matter how hard I try. Yes, I will do the best I can but at the end of the day, I cannot cool Earth with sheer willpower.
But those in power, those who have exorbitant amounts of money? They can save the Earth with the simple snap of their fingers if they truly tried. Elon Musk's trip to space only bore negative consequences, especially in regards to air pollution. Private jets are another example of frivolously polluting the planet.
The mindset that older people have where they say that they've already finished 1/3 of their life infuriates me because I haven't even lived 1/8 of mine and I'm filled with constant dread. I cannot see a bright future because entire generations were careless and thoughtless about their actions and they continue to be.
Sure, life gets hard sometimes but this is the only planet I'll be living on for the foreseeable future. My climate anxiety consumes my mind at times and I'm torn on how to relieve it when even actions aren't soothing. Do I just accept my fate and ignore the elephant in the room forever?
How to Tell Identical Twins Apart
If I had a dime for every time I was confused with my identical twin brother, I would be one of the wealthiest people on Earth. And I'm only 14. Our personalities may be as different as different can be, but we look the same. Only those who have known us for many years can tell us apart.
When you are an identical twin (or any twin for that matter), others constantly ask you questions like, "Do you enjoy being a twin?" or "Are you two telepathic?" or "Who's the oldest?". But the only question I never knew how to answer was, "How can I tell you two apart?" Hence when I came across Malia Wollan's article, "How to Tell Identical Twins Apart," I was eager to learn her tips.
In the article, Wollan encourages readers to make an effort to see identical twins and treat them as the individual humans they are. When I first entered kindergarten many years ago, this task was much more difficult as most of my classmates couldn't distinguish me from my brother. I always had a nagging fear that outside of our closely-knit group of friends, no one cared to know me individually. But Wollan also told readers to be proactive. I've started to point out differences to others, which has led to much less confusion between my brother and me.
Only 0.3% of all pregnancies result in identical twins. I feel lucky and proud to say that I am one. Some people are born with a genius-level penchant for math or a natural talent for sports. I am born with a best friend.
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How to Tell Identical Twins Apart
If I had a dime for every time I was confused with my identical twin brother, I would be one of the wealthiest people on Earth. And I'm only 14. Our personalities may be as different as different can be, but we look the same. Only those who have known us for many years can tell us apart.
When you are an identical twin (or any twin for that matter), others constantly ask you questions like, "Do you enjoy being a twin?" or "Are you two telepathic?" or "Who's the oldest?". But the only question I never knew how to answer was, "How can I tell you two apart?" Hence when I came across Malia Wollan's article, "How to Tell Identical Twins Apart," I was eager to learn her tips.
In the article, Wollan encourages readers to make an effort to see identical twins and treat them as the individual humans they are. When I first entered kindergarten many years ago, this task was much more difficult as most of my classmates couldn't distinguish me from my brother. I always had a nagging fear that outside of our closely-knit group of friends, no one cared to know me individually. But Wollan also told readers to be proactive. I've started to point out differences to others, which has led to much less confusion between my brother and me.
Only 0.3% of all pregnancies result in identical twins. I feel lucky and proud to say that I am one. Some people are born with a genius-level penchant for math or a natural talent for sports. I am born with a best friend.
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"As Biles Rests After Tokyo, Gymnastics Glimpses What Could Be"
This week, my family's conversations have all included discussions about Simone Biles' Olympic journey, from the latest news on her events to our wishes for her safety and recovery. I, as the only one who had any previous interest in gymnastics, turned into the resident gymnastics expert, explaining the extreme danger of the "twisties" and keeping them up to date with any other medal winners. Simone Biles' mental health break made my family interested in gymnastics and more invested in the Olympics overall, and this shows the impact Biles has had on gymnastics' popularity. Because of her extreme dominance in the sport, along with her charisma and infectious personality, Simone Biles has brought the sport to new heights, both competitively and in terms of viewership.
In the article, Juliet Macur mentions several different athletes who medaled, but who might not have or would likely have placed lower if Biles competed. The best examples of this is MyKayla Skinner, who was able to compete and clench a silver medal in the vault finals because of Biles' departure. Although Biles' eventual exit from the sport will likely hurt the buzz surrounding gymnastics and the sport's overall competitiveness, it will also allow for some gymnasts to escape Biles' shadow and prove how dominant they could be in any other era. Suni Lee said it best, saying "I think in the next era of gymnastics, we’ll all have more confidence.”
The pivotal moments of my childhood were snapshots of animated worlds on flat-screen TVs. From a curious monkey, a dog that speaks, and two brothers who explore the wild in power suits, I traversed through the forest of imagination with a click to the channel 54-5. Oftentimes, I wish I could turn back the hands of the clock, erase the imprints of losses, and return to the fantasy worlds that PBS Kids created.
‘Arthur,’ to me, was one of the most enticing shows—one that melded relatable moments like the battle with lice we all had with aardvarks and bunnies. Yet with the responsibilities and liberties that come with age, the show became a memory which was why I was surprised when I saw the article “‘Arthur’ is Ending After 25 Years” that the show was still on air. With its close demise, I queued up an episode, but as I watched it, I realized what I’ve been afraid to face—how much I’ve grown up. What used to mirror my everyday life is no match for the life I have now, and even though Katie Waugh, one of the show’s writers, says that “’Arthur’ confronted...difficult realities like bullying, the fear of death and cancer,” this show could never prepare a child for a world like ours.
So though Arthur and his city of animals will be missed when the show finally ends, to many like me, it has long since been replaced by the crushing feeling of reality—the good, the bad, and the parts that are hard to swallow for seven-year-old kids. After all, we would always have to face it one day.
Simone Biles is under a very bright spotlight after her decision to leave the Olympics. Some consider her a quitter for bailing from her team while others see her as a hero who had the bravery to speak up about her mental issues which many other athletes suffer from in privacy. Mental health in the Olympic world has not been focused on until recently, and I think this change in focus is one of the most needed changes in the Olympics. Often times the regular viewer including myself can forget what kind of stress and pressure professional athletes are under. After all, as an audience we only the see the end result of the all the hard work and time these athletes have put into their training so it can be very easy to overlook the mental side of things.
Simone Biles isn’t the first athlete to speak up about her mental issue either, athletes such as Phelps have also dealt with serious mental problems and have recently opened up about their experiences.
I personally support Simone Biles’ decision to pull out from the Olympics. It is undeniable that these modern gymnasts to some very dangerous acts and if you aren’t ready 100% mentally and physically it can lead to serious injury. Simone Biles put her team and her well being before her drive to get gold and that is a personal decision that I believe everyone should respect.
"The Problem With Idealizing Olympian Supermoms"
Any active expecting mother is always looked at with admiration at the display of strength in maintaining physical fitness while carrying a child. But imagine an Olympic career and doing it. The way sports are idolized and important to the USA it would make sense to give an extreme helping hand to those expecting athlete mothers. But we find out just the opposite.
When having to cut races because of childbirth and pregnancy Alysia Montaño, Kara Goucher and Felix had all of their pays cut. Something like that is inexcusable. If your job as an athlete is to compete and train your body day in and day out then you should have absolutely every right to take time off to focus on carrying another human being inside of there body. The United States is in fact "the only rich country that doesn’t require paid leave for parents." What does that say about us as a country? I believe that as a country this should be changed and we should make it officially a law to have paid maternity leave.
Why is it seen as so absurd to pay these expecting and new mothers after carrying a child that physically breaks down the body? Their career is to train and turn their body into physical freaks of nature that can accomplish ungodly tasks but with something like childbirth and carriage wouldn't it be anything but obvious to allow them to take the time and rest needed while still paying them just as much as they got when physically capable?
"This 'Shazam' for Birds Could Help Save Them"
Whenever I wake up before sunrise, I'm greeted without fail by the same bird call. Over the years I'd amassed quite a few theories for this mystery bird—some type of owl? A warbler, whatever they are? At last the bird was unmasked as a mourning dove, known for their soft, calm cooing. They also have cute red legs and mate for life, so all in all, very adorable.
When one thinks of California suburbia, their mind might not immediately jump to birds. The most exotic birds we seem to get are crows congregating in empty parking lots—or so it seems. Oh look, there's a Stellar's jay in that tree. That right there is a house finch. There's a red-tailed hawk on that draft. If you squint, you'll see a blue heron in that lake. Even the crows are more interesting than one might think. That one's big enough to be a raven. That one has white patches like a magpie.
There's a million issues plaguing our planet, from fast fashion carbon emissions, to record-breaking floods in Zhengzhou, to wildfires tearing up the Pacific Northwest. It feels as though we've reached the point of no return, and it would take nothing short of a miracle to save us from an impending extinction event. But that isn't to say that it's too late for us to act, even by taking seemingly minuscule steps. A call to action can be as simple as that—listening to some birds.
“Simone Biles to complete on Day 11, Which could be the most exciting day at the Games”
The Queen. The GOAT. THE SIMONE BILES is back ON! She doesn’t need the Olympics, the Olympics need her. I am pleased to hear the Simone is back to compete in the Olympics. She recently withdrawal due to the stress she had on herself. The press wanted her to be this all-time gold medalist at everything. I do not doubt that she could achieve it; but if the world was constantly expecting you to win, you would feel the pressure of that. Something in her made her come back for the balance beam final, finishing with a beautiful bronze medal. Simone Biles is seriously a role model to look up to. Nothing is better than a gold medal than prioritizing your mental health. I’m so glad Simone took the time she had to regain a stronger mindset to have enough to help her compete for the balance beam final. I am beyond proud.
Growing up sheltered from the realities of sexual violence, it was not until I became a victim of sexual assault that I realized sexual assault is more complex than the absence of “yes.” Realizing that I had been coerced and that my experience counted as sexual assault was difficult in itself, but the range of my friends’ reactions made things more complicated. Although most comforted me, made me feel a little less alone, and affirmed that it wasn’t my fault, not everyone was as supportive. Some spread gossip, others remained friends with my assaulter, and some questioned whether it was really sexual assault. A few invalidated and denied my experience to my face. I wanted people to understand the gravity of sexual violence and to become more educated on consent.
My experience exposed my lack of knowledge on sexual assault. As a teenager, I’ve realized that sexual violence in my age group is not uncommon. Recently, a few friends told me about their experiences as victims of sexual assault and expressed that they wish they’d known more about their rights and how to keep themselves safe. The article, “Tools for Teens to Call Out Sexual Violence,” showed me that my desire to educate people on sexual violence and to support victims is not some unattainable goal. Not enough schools promote respect, teach students how to stay safe and help others, and explain what constitutes a situation as sexual violence. If we can change that, we can create a safer world for future generations.
“The Day Facebook Ruined the Internet”
“Ding!”
The notification eventually leads to an hour of scrolling. However, after watching the film, “The Day Facebook Ruined the Internet,” I’ve come to realize that this undesirable habit wasn’t always the case.
On September 5th, 2006, Facebook’s News Feed was met with disapproval. This reflected the frustration when experiencing a new algorithm that brought larger communities together. Facebook’s response, however, “Calm down. Breathe. We hear you,” was shocking. News Feed was working. Despite the hate, engagement doubled.
The internet’s impact is undeniable. Through the internet, I’ve met many wonderful organizations, including Art to Hearts Association, dedicated to creating a friendly environment for special needs children. Through this group, I find myself on the internet for hours, teaching young children painting and origami.
The internet has broadened my perspective and influence, but at what cost?
The hours spent on apps like Instagram and Tik-Tok could be spent studying for tests or enjoying time with friends. Although I’m happy to find myself in a bigger community, the internet has thrown a wrench into the balance of my education and personal life, which was my biggest challenge in online school.
As Facebook’s algorithm has brought me to view the world from a bigger and friendlier perspective, we need to realize that the cost of the internet is losing our precious time to our education and hobbies.
"Apple’s iPhones Will Include New Tools to Flag Child Sexual Abuse"
I grew up in a safety cautious family with my parents always cautioning me with stories of exploited children and child pornography, putting in efforts to ensure that I would not be one to fall victim.
At first glance, Apple’s new plan to catch cases of child sexual abuse through their new technology is the perfect tool in helping my parents ensure my safety. But at second glance, this new plan is actually the perfect “surveillance technology that law enforcement or governments could exploit.”
Already, Apple has compromised its Chinese users’ private data in China in response to pressure from the Chinese government. My relatives have been targeted and to think that I may be the next victim is alarming.
Though it is important to make sure us, children are protected against the exposure of child pornography, this article makes me question: is keeping tabs on our children really worth it at the expense of compromising our privacy? So instead of turning on a feature that can flag when children send or receive any nude photos, let's turn on a flag against the exploitation of our privacy.
“What if Humans Just Can’t Get Along Anymore?”
As a child, I frequently imagined aliens invading Earth. In my imagination, human beings united as one to confront the threat. I envisioned the brightest minds from across the world coming together to build advanced weapons in order to fight such powerful enemies. At this time, I ascribed the infighting amongst humans to the fact that we hadn’t yet faced an enemy that could only be defeated through cooperation.
However, the menacing COVID-19 pandemic has changed my mind. I realized that the division of humanity isn’t due to a lack of a common enemy. After all, the virus has certainly proven itself to be a formidable foe. The fact is, humans are trying to cooperate; we are simply failing to do so.
As Farhad has pointed out, humans have been prompt in creating vaccines for COVID-19, yet many people throughout the world have little or no access to vaccinations. This disparity indicates how unpracticed humans are when it comes to cooperative distribution. Globalization is the trend of the century, and global cooperation will likely become increasingly common and necessary in the future. For the sake of the world, I hope that we will finally find a way for “institutions to focus humans’ collective power” so that we can practice confronting serious issues in a more collaborative nature. Optimistically, I always find a way to believe in the potential of the human species.
"Covid Is Now a Crisis for the Unvaccinated"
“Sorry, an urgent mandate orders us to close the tennis court. We’d have to cancel the practice,” Coach Zhu texted me on Monday. That was when the Delta variant unsheathed its sword.
In the article, Carroll explains how Covid situation for unvaccinated Americans is much worse; they are overwhelmingly more likely to suffer from illness and death. As a minor who just got the vaccine, I don’t identify myself as vaccinated even to begin with.
Before the outbreak and vaccination, I could play tennis without masks like the vaccinated. But don’t get me wrong, even though I am already vaccinated now, I still can’t go to practice anymore. There is no such thing that the vaccinated can choose to not wear masks. There’re only people who suffer from the pandemic, follow the rules, and are restricted and people who are temporarily safe. Carroll would be glad to hear it, for he worries about the vaccinated infecting the unvaccinated.
While the vaccinated are still in restrictions, the unvaccinated are getting vaccines so that they can at least ease the outbreak. For three days straight, I’ve seen the station full of people everyday for vaccines.
There’s no distinction between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. They’re all people try to end the pandemic. I was free during safe times as if I was vaccinated; I am limited during the outbreak even if I am vaccinated. I am eager to go back to normal at any time.
My Son Died. How Can I Be Expected to Move On?
My baby cousin entered and left this world in a matter of minutes. Before he was born, I longed for him. After he died, my insides melted into pools of longing, despair, and grief. I didn’t understand death and how to deal with loss. As the years went by, seeing babies made me think about how much he would have weighed or whether he would have been a calm or colicky baby. Playing with toddlers made me ponder whether he would have tackled me to the ground and start laughing at me. I couldn’t stop my imagination which pushed me back in terms of socialization and life, in general.
This grief that came over me was much like that of the mother in this article. In the happiest of times, I withdrew and thought of how my baby cousin was missing so much. The advice columnist offers advice to this mother and ends by saying that her advice is “not a perfect solution, but it may be the best you can do for now.” This response made me understand that there is no perfect solution to dealing with grief.
It used to seem as if the world was mocking me by making me remember the one dear person I had lost, but this article has made me come to terms with this feeling. I never want to forget my baby cousin, but I do want to find my own way to move from grief to cherishable remembrance.
I’m starting with small steps. His birthday is my phone password now; he’s with me forever and always. I remember him every hour of every day while still moving on.
"Not on Facebook? You're Still Likely Being Fed Misinformation"
Social media has become a dominant aspect of our lives — I myself can't imagine my life without Instagram or Facebook. As an international student living nearly 7,000 miles from home, I'm truly thankful to have social media to connect with friends and family.
But there's also a detrimental side to social media that can no longer be overlooked. Being able to connect with anyone in the world through the mere touch of a screen also means that false information can be spread in a matter of seconds. When social media initializes this spread of false information, it catches on as coverage on "credible" sources such as the radio and television legitimizes the information in people's minds. Because of this endless cycle, as well as algorithms specifically programmed to show each individual only what he or she likes to see, we are becoming trapped in our own ideas of reality.
For most of us, none of this information is new — I even watched the documentary “The Social Dilemma” a few weeks ago on this exact topic, yet I find myself stripped of the alertness I had for the few days after I watched it.
We are slowly but surely falling victims to the Pandora's Box that is social media. While regulations the article mentions, such as a new Fairness Doctrine or increased fact-checking, are very much in need, they will do nothing if we don't make a constant effort to take interest in the seriousness of the current situation.
“Simone Biles and the Weight of Perfection”
Not many people in the world can say that they’re the G.O.A.T, the greatest to ever live. Simone Biles carries this title and is expected to live up to this phrase every single day of her life. The pressure is all on her, and it can be a lot to handle at times.
In the article, “Simone Biles and the Weight of Perfection”, we hear more about the constant pressure Biles has faced since such a young age. In the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, Simone Biles dropped out of some parts of the competition due to experiencing a sort of “mental block”, referred to as the twisties. Biles decided not to compete in some events and put her mental health first. With the entire world watching as she made this decision, it was hard, and she definitely felt the pressure to continue competing.
For most of her life, Simone Biles has been in the spotlight. Most of us don’t know what this feels like. We sometimes don’t think about it as pressure, but Biles is expected to win every single time she competes, which sometimes can affect her mental health. It gets tiring having to live up to these standards every day of your life.
Being labeled as the best gymnast to ever live is not an easy job, as we see from Biles’ experience. We must remember that the health and wellbeing of athletes comes first, especially for athletes who are in the spotlight.
“Why India Struggles to Win Olympic Gold?”
My eyes flitted across the screen as I eagerly observed India’s star badminton player and former Olympic medallist, PV Sindhu. With high hopes that she might bring back an Olympic medal from the Tokyo Games, I watched her opponent Tai Tzu win the first part of the semifinals, and then finally be crowned winner of the match. My heart sank, and I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed. So far, India has won one medal and I guess it didn’t really come as much of a surprise that it had only won two medals in the 2016 Olympics. I asked my mom why Indians don’t usually perform well and why I was never pushed towards any sports. Maybe I could have become the next Olympic medalist, I told her jokingly. She smiled and said that she would be more proud if I brought back a medal from a math olympiad.
I sat there, wondering, and coincidentally, I came across an article called,“Why India Struggles to Win Olympic Gold?”. I learned that the sports bureaucracy in India has been underfunded for years leading to its poor performance at the Olympics.
In my opinion, I feel like the biggest reason for India’s substandard performance is its emphasis on academics. As I look back, I remember how from the start, my parents either expected me to be an engineer, or a doctor. I have never thought about sports as something I would seriously want to pursue in life and perhaps this might be the reason for India’s poor performance in the Olympics.
"Screenshots Tell the Real Stories About Who We Are"
Life was harsh! That was pretty much my feeling throughout 2020, the year of COVID. The pandemic took away not only millions of lives around the world, but most of my joy as well.
In the doldrums, I started to make 1-second video to record my life. The attempt was purely random but somehow became a pacifying pastime. I chose only 1 second for each day, as it captured a clip of my life in its most nascent form without interruption. Some moments are beautiful – floral shaped cream atop a Frappuccino; twinkles from rain drops… Some are unpleasing – bruises on my arm from a fall; shatters of my favorite figurine after it fell off the shelf…
In “Screenshots Tell the Real Stories About Who We Are”, Clio Chang reminisced about the kaleidoscopic moments of her digital life. I resonated strongly with her depiction, “screenshots are like little fossils preserved in amber that enable us to decelerate.” As I browsed through my own album – full 6’06” of video clips from 2020, I suddenly realized this is just life in its purest form! No matter exhilaration or sorrow, every instant we capture is meaningful in its own way. Even the most awful moments help to make our lives complete, – the same way dark pixels make a colorful picture complete. The dreadful pandemic actually helped to bring families closer and made us stronger.
If we seek out and treasure all these “little fossils” in life, happiness may be just around the corner.
"The Skateboarders Taking Over Are Among the Youngest Olympians in Tokyo"
When someone mentions the Olympics, I think of people coming together globally, typically in their 20s or 30s, competing in various sports against other countries to get the golden medal. I think of sports like basketball, diving, swimming, or running. I would never imagine people 13 years old skateboarding in the Olympics until now.
I couldn't imagine representing my country in the Olympics, especially if I was 13 years old. While I was scrolling to find an article this caught my eye. I clicked on it and started reading it to find out how interesting it really is. Two 13 year old skateboarders went head to head in the Olympics to determine the winner of the women's street competition. This was a monumental moment in Olympics history. This moment proved to the world that anyone can be great and accomplish what they strive for regardless of age, race, sex, and other aspects. Whether the young athletes in the Olympics won a medal or not, "it is all part of a bigger plan". These events portray the talent and determination of the next generation of Olympic athletes. Reading this article inspired me. It make me come to the conclusion that I can reach my goal no matter how difficult the road may be. Seeing a 13 year old win a medal in the Olympics made me think of what can be done with enough determination and hard work. Talent doesn't come from age, it only comes from hard work.
“There Is No Good Reason You Should Have to Be a Citizen to Vote”
Both of my parents came to this country without papers. It took several years and a lot of money for them to become legal in this country. Before they were able to live here legally, they worked really hard to maintain their family. They lived here for several years and helped out the community a lot. It doesn’t seem fair that they couldn’t be heard due to their legal status, even though they were essential workers.
I find it very frustrating that people that have lived here a long time can’t have a voice just because of how they came here. Some children didn’t have choice of where they lived. Their parents decided to come here so, they had to come as well. It doesn’t seem very fair to me that they have to be punished based off of their parents’ decisions.
The article states, “That wholesale discrimination is unquestionably worse than excluding resident foreigners from the polls, but the point is that history shows how readily voting laws can be altered — and that restrictive ones tend not to age well.” This stood out to me because it’s very disappointing to see how little our country pays attention to past issues. People in power don’t see how their decisions are just repetitions of past mistakes. I think that needs to end because people that don’t have as much privilege can’t keep going through the same struggles.
“This Is Our Chance to Pull Teenagers Out of the Smartphone Trap”
Many of my friends have grown to compare themselves to others, dislike the way they look, and make their lives look picture perfect on camera. They morph into self-destructive creatures, always feel the need to fit in, put themselves into toxic environments, and acquire unhealthy relationships with people they barely know. I have witnessed them trapping themselves in an endless pit of anxiety and self consciousness, all because of social media.
This article explains that the decrease of teenage students’ mental health is mainly due to smartphones and social media platforms. By 2012, social media feeds had become “algorithmicized” for each user and simultaneously, rates of teenage depression, loneliness, self-harm, and suicide began to rise due to the influx of smartphones; by 2015, two-thirds of teenagers owned smartphones and social media went from “optional to ubiquitous among adolescents.” Instagram had even stronger effects on its users as they compared themselves to others' heavily filtered photos.
As someone who isn’t on social media, I still see the damage first hand as my friends are obsessed with their phones, text all day, meet strangers online, and become self conscious of themselves all for the sake of these toxic and destructive platforms. While the article does state reasonable steps that could be taken, I think teenagers are too far down the rabbit hole to be saved from their alternate reality.
Invasive Insects and Diseases Are Killing Our Forests
During the COVID-19 pandemic many people, myself included, had the opportunity to take a step back and enjoy the beauty of the world around us. However, this brought the problem the world has with ecosystem epidemics into focus; the ecosystem around us crumbles, while there is little any individual can do to prevent it. This article caught my interest because, for such an immense problem, there is little resolve. While wildfires grab the headlines by drastically exemplifying climate change, diseases that affect trees are a silent killer. Research shows that rotting trees release CO2 at the same magnitude as wildfires, yet, we pour billions into preventing wildfires while neglecting to protect living trees. More infuriating is how simply these epidemics could have been prevented. These diseases were brought to North America by nesting on plants and then replicating unhindered, destroying the environment. By banning the imports of specific plants and increasing the scanning of packages, we could potentially save billions of trees, yet we don’t to allow profits of the horticulture industry to expand.
Tree epidemics aren’t invisible. Unlike greenhouse gasses destroying the atmosphere, this problem is literally in our backyard. I live surrounded by old trees that have withstood the test of time, however, through our indifference more of these trees die, ruining not just the ecosystem, but our ability to enjoy it.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
This drew my attention because I have seen a lot of mixed reactions to what Simone did. I’ve heard that no real “goat” would give up in the middle of a game. Gymnastics is different than most sports that they are comparing her to. Gymnastics is a sport where you could paralyze your body with one mistake. The risk is much greater in gymnastics than in most sports, especially if not in the right mindset. One slip-up is all it takes to end your career.
I for one think that it was extremely brave of Simone to know herself well enough to recognize she was not able to compete. She was under an extreme amount of stress and pressure from the whole entire world. Athletes are taught to push themselves to extremes and their mental states are not taken into account. It was courageous of Simone to fight what she has always been told and take her own self-worth into account. I am constantly inspired by Simone’s success, advocacy for mental health, and ability to stick up for herself.
"The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most"
Different from the experiences of the students featured in this article, my reality is tutoring all throughout the academic year and working hard to earn straight As. However, with the pandemic, it is much more difficult to perform well academically. While I appreciate the statistics provided in this article, it is impossible to create a solution without identifying why students are performing worse than anticipated during the pandemic.
On any normal school day, we wake up an hour before school starts to catch the bus. Just as one is ascending the stairs to get to their first period, there is a shrill excitement of what’s going to happen in school. “Would I be grouped up with my friend for a lab?” “Who should I sit next to during lunch?” These aren’t unfamiliar questions for students who physically go to school everyday. As trivial as these questions sound, they are the prime motivators for most students to attend school. Now we go to school by clicking on “Join Meeting” everyday, there are no motivators that prompts us to wake up each morning. Suddenly, we get up minutes before our first class starts and stare at a dark screen with our classmates' profile pictures and a red mute button right next to it as we slowly doze off because of the lack of communication.
As day-to-day interactions decrease, motivations to go to school fall. Ultimately, this leads to grades falling until it becomes terribly difficult to catch up.
“The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time”
There’s no doubt. 2020 was a lonely year. Colleagues and friends disappeared into their homes, with no hope of getting back together.
To combat loneliness and feign normalcy, people resorted to using social media; others kept themselves busy with housework. My take on quarantine? I don’t miss the dank smell of the school hallways, or the hours spent driving to my local cram school, studying at the last minute. I would rather leave that time in the past, like a ghost.
The article “The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time” really put this into light. Although we are reminded of a busy and lonely world, I was greeted with a breath of fresh air, even through the mask. Before we were forced into our homes, I was entering middle school, still learning my way around and trying to find a friend. My sparse luck in socializing meant quarantine was a big blessing in disguise. No longer did I need to worry about commuting and having tight times to work, or having no one to talk about my favorite music with. Shutting me in freed me from my inner circle.
In a time where so many people are suffering and experiencing loss, I encourage the reader to find their own silver lining to embrace quarantine. The new online norm gave me a bigger world outside of my county - I found new friends, a new style, even a new interest in an instrument I’m starting to pick up. Make the most of quarantine, and go change out that wardrobe for something new.
“The Pandemic Hurt These students the Most”
Indeed, pandemic has a detrimental influence upon students’ academic performances. Last year when it broke out, due to the distance learning, my classmates and me were not monitored by teachers or faced pressure, consequently, after we took the monthly test, the scores of the whole grade decreased nasty.
Nevertheless, since the ranking and grades are everything for Chinese students, after we were warned seriously by teachers and parents, we had to study for lasting hours just as before the pandemic. As the consequence, almost all of us achieve better scores. While the results shown in the passage revealed that pandemic, to a large extent, was harmful to students, they could have gain academic improvement with enough effort and school’s strengthening management due to everyone’s great attention.
Admittedly, it is pivotal to learn cooking, grief, and racism, but it would be more efficient for students to have better academic performances at school if they spend most proportion of time for studying those topics and skills on school’s tasks and homework. What’s more, if schools and teachers pay more attention on students’ education, not only can study become more effective and efficient, but also can it be more economical. In a word, the more you value learning, the more academic improvement you would achieve through enormous practice even under the infernal pandemic period.
"Who Decides What a Champion Should Wear?"
Objectification is a tense word: one that isn't thrown around as much as sexism but surely means as much in sports. To think that we live in a world where the president of FIFA suggested smaller shorts for women's soccer outraged me. Dress should not be something that influences our perception of an athlete's capabilities, and yet like so many other physical features, it is. We can't help but notice visual differences, but the least we can do is to allow them.
As I read how 12-year-old Billie Jean King was not allowed in a tennis club picture because of her failure to wear a short skirt, I thought of my own athletic fit: long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a headscarf. My clothing is certainly not the standard race attire, and though I don't run for my school, I wonder if I'd even be allowed to race.
No one doubts the importance of participation in sports form an early age, but many of the barriers to participation remain unaddressed. Among them is dress code—how many girls give up their gymnastics dreams because their moms won't let them wear a leotard, or maybe they themselves do not want to? Or the boys who quit the swim team because they feel uncomfortable in the uniform?
As athletes climb to elite levels, it becomes even more difficult to challenge norms. But whispers have turned into conversations, and Germany's gymnastics leotards this year show that perhaps champions may be able to decide what to wear after all.
As I stumbled into the dank room, coughing incessantly, I was greeted by the sound of scurrying mice and peeling paint, as well as waves of dust emanating from the caved in walls and sagging roof around me, which every so often shifted around like it was breathing. Had I walked into some kind of landfill?
No.
I was visiting one of the houses of Hunts Point this summer, notorious for being one of the worst places to live in in New York City as a part of a housing and nonprofit course I was taking.
I was no stranger to low quality housing - my family used to live in a cramped basement apartment in one of the poorest areas of Queens. However, I couldn't believe that New York City, the crown jewel of America, had its residents living in such horrid conditions that were even worse, and in buildings that could barely even be described as “homes.”
“A Rebirth in the Bronx: Is This How to Save Public Housing?” tells us of a model in which private organizations can partner with government run programs to keep buildings in shape while keeping the interests of the tenants at heart.
This comes as a breath of fresh air, not only for my family, who still have to worry about earning enough for rent, but also millions of tenants who could be evicted due to rising rent prices and stagnant wages.
Perhaps this system will find its own home in America.
Who decides what a champion should wear?
This question and article stood out to me this week because I think the answer is simple and should be obvious. The champion should decide what the champion wears. Each athlete in their sport knows what they are comfortable in, what they perform best in, and how much they do or don't want to reveal. It’s clear and I’d go as far as to say it should be blatant that the choice of sportswear should be up to the individual. However, this is not the case. This article goes into many different aspects of women's sports that are wrongfully policed but what got me the most was its focus on dress code.
Recently there have been many stories in the news centering around women athletes’ stand against the dress code and as a result “...have cast a spotlight on issues of sexism, the objectification of the female body, and who gets to decide what kind of dress is considered “appropriate” when it comes to athletic performance.” As a woman, this of course concerns me and I believe sexism practiced and normalized anywhere can create a threat for it to spread. Even if you're not a woman or athlete these issues can directly affect your friends and loved ones. These practices are harmful and outdated. I think the women bravely taking a stand have created a great opportunity for awareness and change. Whether a woman decides to play beach volleyball in bikini bottoms or shorts shouldn’t cause any rise, and yet even in 2021, this news is making front covers.
“Why My Family Is Watching ‘Gilmore Girls’
This past week I have just finished watching the incredible show ‘Gilmore Girls’. For years my mom had been trying to convince me to watch her favorite t.v show, and I finally caved and enjoyed it immensely. Sarah Wildman expresses that for her family ‘Gilmore Girls’ is a way for them to come together and connect while watching a show they all love. For me ‘Gilmore Girls’ is a show that reminds me of my mom and I’s relationship. Eventhough our relationship isn’t exactly like Lorealis and Rorys, whereas my mom didn’t have me when she was sixteen, our relationship is still very similar in many ways. I and my mom are extremely close just like Rory and Lorelai, we treat each other as each other’s best friends; we tell each other everything, we do everything together, and we have fun traditions that are special to only us. I think that is why I loved ‘Gilmore Girls’ as much as I did because I could relate to it so tremendously. Being able to see a relationship so similar to the one with my mother on television was something so special to me because none of my friends or people I know in general have that type of relationship with their mothers. And just like the author of the article, Sarah Wildman, I too have a meaningful reason for watching ‘Gilmore Girls’.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
As the 2021 Olympics continues, many are wondering why the famous gymnast, Simone Biles, dropped out of the competition. As when the announcement of Simone dropping out of the competition hit the news, it was tragedy for all especially her teammates. Although her teammates were sad that the U.S. could not get gold they understood of the reason of why Simone dropped out of the competition.
The reason Simone Biles dropped out of the gymnastic competition was reported to be because of mental health issues. No one truly understands how important mental health truly is until it hits you. Many fans may be mad for what they may consider a "silly" excuse. But it is better for Simone to drop out of the competition instead of hurting her reputation and not performing well. It is said that Simone Biles is not the only person that suffers through mental health issues. Many other athletes like Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps and NBA all star, Demar DeRozan all suffer through mental health issues as well. Mental health is becoming a major issue just with normal everyday people, but athletes have to go through intense training where they have to be in the right state of mind in order to be able to perform at there peak.
"Messi's Departure Is a Mess Everyone Could See Coming"
When thinking of FC Barcelona, one of the greatest clubs in soccer history, the first player to be associated with the club is almost definitely Lionel Messi. "La Pulga" is arguably the best player in the club's history and is unfortunately parting ways with the Catalonian giant.
With the heart-wrenching announcement a certainty, the world is now speculating where Messi will take his talents next, with the top two suitors being Manchester City and PSG.
A move to Man City would mean Messi reuniting with Pep Guardiola, who won 3 La Liga titles and 2 Champions League titles in his 4-year tenure with Barcelona. Man City also has a star-studded roster, headlined by Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, and Jack Grealish, who Man City just signed for a club-record $139 million fee. With Grealish's addition to the squad, signing Messi seems more improbable, as Messi will most likely come with high wage demands.
PSG, Messi's other likely suitor, may be willing to meet those demands. The French Goliaths also have a loaded roster, led by Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappe, and new free agent signings Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Gini Wijnaldum. Messi played with Neymar at Barca for 4 years, winning a Champions League and 2 La Liga titles with him. Messi moving to Paris would create a near-unstoppable front three of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe.
The world can only wait for Messi to make his shell-shocking decision.
Cutting a chocolate bar into pieces; measuring sugar, salt, flour, and baking soda; leaving the butter outside to soften. I am making chocolate chip cookies. I love baking desserts: from a simple egg tart to a complex cake. You can always add your touch to the food you love.
In her article, “In London, a Taiwanese Feast With Fortune-Telling Buns,” Sophie Bew introduces Shing Tat Chung and Erchen Chang. They studied at London’s Slade School of Fine Art, and “each restaurant or event that the couple do is an extension of their artistic practices.” Chang states, ‘“We design everything”... “the dishes, the aprons, the menus, the flat-pack furniture.”’ For as long as I could remember, I would be clinging onto my iPad, watching how to bake. Baking is something I always wanted to do, and because of quarantine, I got the chance to learn how to bake. Reading this article made me realize how I’m expressing myself through the pastry I make. Similar to how Shing Tat Chung and Erchen Chang uses color to express art, I incorporate color into my pastries, making it a rainbow.
There are many things I do to express myself, and baking is one of them. I like to use many different colors because not only does it make everything prettier, but it also makes pastries unique, even if it is something as simple as bread. Color is special because different combinations give off different vibes. Color is everywhere, and we should appreciate the benefits it provides us.
"As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again"
The amount of fake news going out about the vaccine is absurd. People are dying; others, hospitalized because of covid. Still, Still, some people are taking this pandemic as a joke. Everyone else who is vaccinated has to suffer under these reoccurring rules.
I understand and am trying to understand the logic that people are using to justify their choice. It is hard to hear people say that they will eventually get vaccinated as if the rest of us have all day. I want to make it clear; I do not mind wearing a mask. It is, however, getting to a point where I want normalcy. I want to be able to travel internationally and not have to worry about getting sick. I want to visit my family and have Christmas together. Right now, it seems I am wearing a mask because of ignorant souls.
When I first got vaccinated, I thought everything was over. I thought Masks, deaths, sickness was all over. I was wrong. Conspiracies from far-right media are preventing the end from shining through. I truly wish people would be considerate of others. People need to pay attention to the appropriate news source. We need to get back to living life without restrictions.
Two years ago, I took a vacation to Israel with my family, and visited so many places, sights with incredible memories. Of course, we were fortunate to have visited many famous, fascinating tourist destinations such as Jerusalem, the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, what made the most lasting impression on me was the overall environment of that I have never been exposed to. Having lived my entire life in New York City, the "melting pot," it was unbelievable to see strict separation between the two groups. It is considered dangerous for Palestinians to enter a Jewish neighborhood, vice versa. When we travelled around, if we crossed from one area to another, we have to switch taxi drivers, as Palestinians are not allowed past certain zones.
When I read the article "A Rap Song lays Bare Israel's Jewish-Arab Fracture, it reminded me of everything I observed throughout my trip here. I think it's a really good thing that the two rappers are bringing honesty to the issue, which could be very helpful in the situation. The brutal honesty of the song described in the article helps people realize their prejudices, and sterotypes on the other side.
He Tried to Walk on Water From Florida to New York. It Didn’t Go So Well.
Reza Baluchi, modern day Odysseus, planned for almost everything on his journey. But he stopped short 2.5% of the way after he discovered his GPS hardware missing, and subsequently was detained by the Coast Guard. He represents charity for homelessness, eco-friendly innovation, and philanthropy in general. Yet he is laughed at and mocked by onlookers.
Obviously, there are some dangers to what Baluchi is doing. Uncharted seacraft can cause unsafe traffic in the ocean. But even so, there’s so much humans have dumped into the ocean. And his ocean hamster wheel is nothing compared to the size of the plastic island floating around in the sea. If that were to land on the beach, who would be held responsible? Who would pay the civil penalty of up to $95,881?
To the people who laughed at Baluchi, would they still laugh if they knew if he was raising awareness for the homeless and other charities? Respect should be given to Baluchi to ignore those who doubted and laughed at him. Baluchi’s journey may have just started - and also may have just ended - he already is persevering in order to raise awareness for charities.
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“‘Terror’: Crackdown After Protests in Cuba Sends a Chilling Message”
In recent weeks, Cuban protesters took to the streets and challenged their harsh, authoritarian government, questioning their political, social, and economic policies. Despite enormous support, the protests have only led to further injustice among Cuban citizens. With countless detainments, the government’s message to the people is clear: these protestors and activists will not be tolerated lightly. The situation’s severity was brought to my attention by various media outlets in the last few weeks, particularly from a close, Cuban friend. He informed me of the true terrors occurring in his home country, fearful for what might happen to the large family he left behind.
I could not possibly relate to his level of anxiety, and dread, but I made an effort to further educate myself regarding the complex situation. Acknowledging and understanding the rough issues that Cuba has faced in recent decades was alarming, but also enlightening. It showed me that, although the world’s history suggests that terrifying governments and events are in the past, their influence is far from gone. The outcome of the Cuban protests is a prime example of a government silencing and ignoring the people that it vows to protect. Addressing the significance of Cuba in modern history, we must also recognize similar events in nations around the world. Our decisions regarding these scenarios will only shape our future.
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“Squirrel Acrobats Are as Smart as They Are Athletic”
“GO AWAY, GO AWAY!!!” I remember my 9-year-old self screaming. A squirrel had made its way into my garden and started eating my favorite flower. It was already the tenth time that day and my formerly glorious hyacinths were barren and chewed on.
Squirrels are typically viewed as pests that eat your birdseed and your painstakingly grown fruits and flowers. However, that is not the only aspect of these animals. Not only do they navigate the treetops while evading predators in the air, trees, and the ground, squirrels can also survive a fall from ANY height. They learn and adapt quickly, speedily overcoming any feeble attempts that researchers make when trying to challenge them.
Still, squirrels are dismissed and even scorned as an ordinary facet of everyday life. People often forget how incredible the common squirrel actually is. But why is it that we would lose interest in such a captivating little creature and all the other wonderful phenomena we witness each day? The truth is it is all too easy to slip into a monotonous, dull rhythm in life. We slowly lose the joy and intrigue as time goes on.
To combat that, we ought to recover our childhood fascination even with the simple things. So, let’s relearn to appreciate all the little things that we experience every day. Let us relive and learn to revive the simple happiness of discovery that brightened our childhood years. Life is too short to not live to its fullest.
“To Fight Vaccine Lies, Authorities Recruit an ‘Influencer Army’”
Remember when President Trump tried to ban TikTok? I certainly do. So when I read that TikTok is going to be the White House’s new weapon in the fight to get young Americans vaccinated against COVID, I had to laugh. Oh, the irony.
The push to reach youth via messaging by influencers is having an immediate impact. My own social media feed has been relentlessly prodding me to watch teen pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo’s talk with Dr. Fauci. When the ad appeared on my YouTube reel for the third time in an hour, I cracked. And though I’m not Ms. Rodrigo’s biggest fan, I did find the talk informative and engaging. As Dr. Fauci answered her questions about everything from the vaccine’s side effects to its efficacy against the Delta variant, I felt like I was Olivia Rodrigo herself, sitting in the White House, rocking a chic pink-plaid peacoat, listening intently to every word. In this virtual space, she was my generation’s ears. Instead of getting lectured by a government official, I—we—were taking part in the discussion together.
As Ms. Lorenz notes in her article, many of us trust social media stars more than traditional celebrities—perhaps because we feel we’ve played a role in propelling those stars to the heights they enjoy today. The White House is catching on to what many in mass media have already figured out: the best way to reach out to younger audiences is to involve us directly in the flow of information.
“The Day Facebook Ruined the Internet”
“Ding!”
The notification eventually leads to an hour of scrolling. However, after watching the film, “The Day Facebook Ruined the Internet,” I’ve come to realize that this undesirable habit wasn’t always the case.
On September 5th, 2006, Facebook’s News Feed was met with disapproval. This reflected the frustration when experiencing a new algorithm that brought larger communities together. Facebook’s response, however, “Calm down. Breathe. We hear you,” was shocking. News Feed was working. Despite the hate, engagement doubled.
The internet’s impact is undeniable. Through the internet, I’ve met many wonderful organizations, including Art to Hearts Association, dedicated to creating a friendly environment for special needs children. Through this group, I find myself on the internet for hours, teaching young children painting and origami.
The internet has broadened my perspective and influence, but at what cost?
The hours spent on apps like Instagram and Tik-Tok could be spent studying for tests or enjoying time with friends. Although I’m happy to find myself in a bigger community, the internet has thrown a wrench into the balance of my education and personal life, which was my biggest challenge in online school.
As Facebook’s algorithm has brought me to view the world from a bigger and friendlier perspective, we need to realize that the cost of the internet is losing our precious time to our education and hobbies.
"Are Fitness Buffs Going Back to the Gym?"
By Alex Williams
I am a fitness buff. Not kidding, burpees bring me so much joy. Ironically, despite putting my body through pain, the feeling of a good workout puts a smile on my face and gives me a perfect start to the day.
After being inspired by internet fitness gurus, edged on by fellow classmates, and enamored by the variety of gym machines, I decided to test the waters at my local gym. I was geared up from head-to-toe in black— my “outfit of the day” consisted of a black Nike T-shirt, black Nike yoga pants, and black Nike sneakers. It seems that not only do I have an obsession with working out, but also with the Nike brand itself.
Other than loving the fitness brand, I chose this outfit because I didn’t want to stand out in the crowd. Unfortunately, my all-black gear did not protect me from my worries. The moment I stepped foot into the gym, I felt the stares and the silent judgement from those around me.
On the contrary, as the author mentions, there are countless benefits to working out at home, whether that is to save money or save time. Especially during a pandemic, doing so also helps save lives. Personally, compared to sweating with huffing and puffing strangers in a tightly sealed facility, I would much rather spend time working out with my navy blue yoga mat and having my favorite fitness bloggers cheer me on through the screen, in the comfort of my own home.
"The Chinese Sports Machine’s Single Goal: The Most Golds, at Any Cost"
Chinese—hey, that’s me!
This article’s title immediately caught my attention as I scrolled through the top news. I analyzed each word of the title:
Sports…Machine?
Most Golds, at Any Cost?
Well, now I know that the content will direct to the Olympics—an exciting topic indeed! Even thinking about Tokyo, where the 2020 Olympic Games were held made me excited, a crowded, lively, hustling, and bustling city, described wonderfully by my mother.
I read on. And soon, the main idea became clear, the author described and revealed the unsportsmanlike strategies China used to get as many gold medals as they can “for the glory of the nation” and the demanding consequences that came from this—sports school’s academic and living conditions are often poor, and many must sacrifice their time with family to give their full attention for training.
But to bring more to the table for us to contemplate is that my grandfather is an example of exceptional goodness that came out of “China’s sports assembly line". To put it shortly, China was running short on crops then, and being on the sports team is the only way of getting a full stomach—he joined. So, China, a country so determined on winning the Olympics provided opportunities for those in rural land to raise their quality of life, which also improved the living conditions of later generations—me! And that’s what the Olympics should be.
“The Youth Prepare for #Summer2021, a Glorious Summer They’re Unlikely to Get”
“That’s all for today’s class guys! Thanks for coming, see you next time!” I smiled broadly at the laptop as beaming kids waved goodbye. Taking a large gulp of water, I posted the students' homework, having finished another tutoring session. I had started tutoring as a volunteer project to help foreign students who wanted to improve their English. Because I couldn’t travel due to COVID, I spent more time online with the kids. I loved it. I could sit for hours in front of the screen creating PowerPoint presentations for a single upcoming class, and not realize that time had passed so quickly before my mom would urge me to take a break.
Before this summer, I would’ve never imagined that I would be a decent tutor. I also never expected to enjoy teaching as much as I do now. My summertime was spent rehearsing lessons, revising homework, and along the way, finding a passion for helping others.
Ms. Haigney says that “There is no way that summer in America in 2021 can live up to these expectations.” But if it weren’t for the pandemic and travel restrictions, I probably would’ve never started tutoring. I would've never witnessed the growth of my students. One kid that had started with immense trouble differentiating between "through" and "thought" came to class one day and told me that he had finished the whole Harry Potter series in a week. That boy’s name, by the way, just so happened to be Harry.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/health/covid-kids-tech-use.html
In 2019, I could never have imagined attending classes at the kitchen table. But, since schools shuttered in the spring of 2020, this odd arrangement has become a part of my life. Like many others, as the pandemic prevails, technology has extended to my only means of connecting with others.
Yet overuse of technology could come at the detriment of physical and mental health.
Increased screen time is “associated with anxiety, depression, obesity, and aggression” and certain video games can bring addictive behavior. Still, many resort to technology for entertainment, for instant reward, for alleviation from the despondency that derives from the pandemic’s usurpation of normal life. There seems to be no alternative to technology within the confinement of the pandemic.
My experience with the pandemic has been the opposite. While in quarantine, my parents and I started a book club. Instant reward is achieved when a book is completed, encouraging me to develop a new habit of reading for 20 minutes immediately when I wake up. Consistent with Dr. Radesky’s claim, the more I repeat this habit, the harder it is to break it. My screen time has consequently reduced, dropping from 5 hours a day to half an hour.
The spread of the Delta and the Delta Plus variant makes it likely that the pandemic lifestyle will become a new normal, not a temporary change. Perhaps finding new, off-tech habits may just help us cope.
"As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again"
Here we go again. It seems like a never-ending cycle in where people continue to defy science and fall into the misinformation that many media brings to their plate.
In yet another warning from the CDC, the Delta Variant has caused many of the lenient guidelines to become restrictions once more. The new COVID Delta variant has fed off the unvaccinated and spread its havoc across the entire country, reintroducing the pressure and tragedy to America's frontline medical workers. As cases now continue to rise and more individuals die from this more fatal strain, the CDC and the Biden administration are making it their priority to prevent any more spread and another path to a shutdown.
Now with a "pandemic among the unvaccinated", more than ever is the message to vaccinate the millions important to the country. With this more easily transmittable Delta strain that shows to be more symptomatic and fatal, many of the vaccinated turn back to the old "norm" of mask-wearing despite the little risk that the new strain has among vaccinated individuals. For a party that has hated this pandemic from the get-go, it's very ironic that they do not want to take the measures necessary to stop the pandemic and return to normalcy in the country. Quite frankly, time will tell what this new variant has in store for the country but I only hope change is done before it becomes too late.
"There Is No Good Reason You Should Have to Be a Citizen to Vote"
Voting is probably one of the most recognizable rights of citizenship in the mind of a high schooler. Yet, it’s also not uncommon for my U.S. History class to be awash with boredom once our local elections are mentioned. Although the duty has been instilled in our minds, some of my peers who can vote don’t, instead choosing to ignore the change they could spur. On the other hand, I also have peers who legally cannot vote, people who have lived in America for essentially their whole lives, and who constantly stay educated about policies that affect them and others.
I’ve viewed this dichotomy with resigned frustration—it’s clearly ironic that some of the teenagers who know most about elections can’t participate in them. But I've always assumed we couldn't even try to change this situation, this unwavering norm of our country.
Atossa Araxia Abrahamian’s article made me reconsider the ongoing nature of my disappointment. Her case for non-citizens voting is compelling as it emphasizes a potential “representation”, “revitaliz[ation of] American democracy”, and “sense of investment”. Through her conviction, I was able to see what I thought was naive as pragmatic.
Ultimately, I realized her writing was bold, just as the ideas we learn about in history class were once considered bold in the past. So I realized, really, that there shouldn’t be anything stopping us from trying to create history right now.
In the fourth grade, I lived in Virginia, although not the racist part, where the Confederate flag is flown with pride. My white teacher taught us that Robert E. Lee fought with the Confederacy, not because he agreed with slavery, but because he was a proud Virginian. Well I am not proud of that history.
Teaching students about slavery isn’t about wanting to make someone feel guilty about being white. It isn’t about guilt at all. It is about teaching the correct history about America. Schools teach about the American Revolution because as Americans, we feel that we were in the right in gaining our independence, but even then we don’t learn about the slavery already happening in the country, or the Revolution’s big heroes, such as George Washington’s owning of slaves.
The writer included in her article information about a law legislated in Tennessee banning discussion of race that might cause a student “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress.” Black students aren’t offered a moment of discomfort or anguish. They have to learn about their history in America and must on their own learn their history in Africa, a history before slavery.
In my World History class, a student asked the teacher why we skipped the Africa and Asia chapters. His response was that they were “not important.” This isn’t only a Southern problem, but also an American one. Southern pride may be a reason, but there is nothing prideful about owning another human being.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/31/opinion/smartphone-iphone-social-media-isolation.html
Living in a place where teenagers are generally not allowed to use their phones, I am blessed with slightly more open-minded parents who allowed me to call and text but restricted my access to other functions on my phone until high school. If social media is the true origin of loneliness, I should’ve been surrounded by amazing people who understand and appreciate me because I was never on social media.
That didn’t happen.
With no means to contact my friends after school, I often spend my time alone, disappointed when I had no one to share my life with. At the same time, the peers that I’ve met in real life were not always the ones that resonated with me the most; many of my international friends share more similar values with me, and without social media, I wouldn'te able to connect with that community.
So instead of being paternalistic and locking phones up during school or strictly enforcing minimum ages, specialists may focus on answering what teenagers need. Social media will not magically disappear anytime soon, and it’s better to encourage healthy engagement with it. Are teenagers lonely because they don’t feel understood in their physical reality? How does frthe equency of using social media correspond to one’s level of loneliness? How to build self-awareness and confidence?
Social media are but means, and the problems our teenagers face today deserve a closer look.
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set"
When I picked up my phone Tuesday morning, I was shocked to see that Simone Biles had pulled out of the competition. After her exceptional performance at the Rio Olympics, people expected the same of her this year. But when I read further and found out it was because of mental health issues, I thought, “Good for her.”
Like Biles, all humans reach the breaking point where you can keep going physically, but not mentally. Anxiety over failing an exam combined with not understanding the concepts was the breaking point for me. I was blindly doing problems over and over again the night before the exam and I had to be reined in by my mom, who comforted me by saying, “It’s okay if you don’t do well tomorrow. Just go to sleep. It’s late. Failure isn't the end of the world.”
I was saddened to read in the article that, “Critics on Twitter lamented that quitting is the new winning, casting it as weak and lazy Generation Z behavior.” They should focus on supporting her right now instead of bringing her down. Like any other figure in the spotlight, every move she makes often gets analyzed from every perspective, but it is not the time to focus on why she pulled out. It’s time to focus on how we can support her going forward, and also how to support many other athletes competing in the Games because their mental health is just as important as their physical health. They are Olympians, but we must remember they are also human.
“A Master Class on How to Wipe Out”
Although I do not watch skateboarding all that often, the sight of world-class skateboarders tumbling in an event that they are supposed to be dominating at intrigued me. It stuns me that every time after the fall, they simply stand back up and move on to the next trick. “These people truly learn from falls!” a voice in my head says. And I can relate because I had a similar experience.
I used to represent my school in district science quizzes. My Chemistry teacher was fond of me because we used to do well. In the final buzzer round, thinking I knew the answer during one of the quizzes, I pressed the buzzer before the question was completed and answered.
It was incorrect, and we lost the round. In another quiz in a few weeks, I was pretty sure that we would make it up. Again, we got to the final round, and, again, before the quizmaster completed the question - I pressed the buzzer. I answered, mostly sure that we were right.
It was incorrect, again. Feeling like a failure, I went to my teacher, saying, “I’m sorry, ma’am, for being a failure the second time.” She said, “You haven’t failed twice. You’ve only failed once”. Looking at my surprise, she continued, “There are no events that are failures or successes in life. There are only learnings. The only thing that you can fail at is failing to learn.”
“Here, you failed to learn.” That was the first and last time I failed to learn, and that has been the guiding principle of my life since.
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
The effect of the pandemic was a worldwide event, everyone as a whole experienced traumatic hardship throughout this time, including me, the people who wrote the article, and you reading this. It has been more time in solitude, one of the widespread issues brought forth by the pandemic, it has really been "A lonely year". The time we spend alone while awake has spiked with nearly an hour increase. The "profound loneliness" people felt while "trapped in nursing homes" makes my own heart, ache with sorrow. However I, with others must be hopeful this pandemic will change more than just how we spend our time, the changes brought forth will defend against future pathogen-related events. We are more focused on the microscopic world around us, and because of this change, more people consider viruses a threat, including me. The way we act will change forever, myself and others are more conscious of ways to prevent the spread of pathogens.
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“Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports”
Simone Biles has been in the forefront of the media recently for her decision to value her mental health over a new piece of hardware to add to her already impressive collection. She withdrew from the USA Women’s Gymnastics Finals this past week because she was not mentally capable to go forth without having repercussions which would affect her performance, scores and health. In my opinion, Simone displayed the utmost respect for her team and herself in this decision. The media has been both in support of, and against Simone’s decision, depending on where you look or what you read. What should be noted here is that media sites are not Simone, and they have not endured the stress and pressure which she has. She made an example to all people in the world that focusing on your mental health is extremely important and should not be disregarded for any reason. In front of the world , Simone represented what it's like to fully respect yourself. In breaking down that long held standard to just keep going and forget your own needs, she put the struggle of Olympic athletes and the struggle of people under high expectation into the limelight. Especially in the middle of the pandemic, this public example is important to all those who may be suffering in silence. The action that saved herself from further mental distress, also shone a light on how the mental health struggle in the world is not going away anytime soon.
“Marking a Pandemic, One Crane at a Time”
History was never my favorite subject. Many major events are born out of fear, horrible circumstances, and devastation. Now living through another possible large marker in history, I’m certain I like it even less. But one thing that history grants is the promise of time as everything moves forward. Everyone is granted the same 24 hours--what makes a difference is how you choose to use them.
Over quarantine I started a long term project to better myself. I am made up of promises and contracts to myself that I constantly stretch and break the rules of. The human mind is strange; it is resilient but so easy to influence into giving up. The crane that Prased and her son made takes up only two minutes per day, but serves as an affirmation of progress, of having done something every day. On days where I could not muster the strength to finish all my routines, I could compromise with just feeding myself and cleaning my room as positive progress and motion. We are made up of the little things we do everyday; everything we do is a consequence of our actions preceding and those working up to it.
Although Prased’s cranes never reached a thousand for the perfect wish, I have a feeling that it doesn’t need to. The thousand cranes stand less in their numbers, and more in the promise of continuation, commitment, and progression. My own thousand cranes rests in each passing activity that I do in my journey to self-betterment.
“George Washington Feared for America and Other Truths About the Founders We’ve Frozen in Time”
As we sit in classrooms and learn about American history, we often focus on the highlights of each historical figure’s career. We “hail the Thomas Jefferson of 1776, not the one of 1806...” Although it is important to learn about these events, I also believe it is important to recognize every aspect of these people's lives.
After George Washington’s presidential career ends, we stop studying. We don't examine his continued relationships with his colleagues, such as John Adams, and his continued influence on American history. As Jamelle Bouie addresses in their article, “The problem is that the men we call the founders did not stop thinking or writing or acting in politics with ratification of the Constitution.” We must continue to learn about the downfalls after their victories and the mistakes after their brilliant ideas. This is what allows us to learn, just as they did.
Although the focus of this article primarily lies in the political importance of learning about our founders, I believe the educational value of these facts is far greater. Students in school today must learn about how John Adams kept us from entering a critical Quasi-War, but we must also learn about how his signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts led to the downfall of his career. Learning about all aspects of American history is critical to shaping young minds.
" 'A hit man sent them' Police at the Capitol recount the horrors of Jan. 6 as the inquiry begins"
I have a serious pride for my country and support my police, fire, army, ect. and what happened at the capitol was devastating. I had heard about what was going on through my mother at home while attending school. I immediately turned on the news to see the destruction of the capitol and recklessness of the people, but the thing that caught my eye the most was the police there, defending the building, being pushed around.
The police there were risking their lives, and yet, people showed no respect. they were threatened and harmed while trying to do their job, just because of an angry mob. Although my view point is skewed from hat of the article, it doesn't matter whether the group of people were republican or democrat or voted for a unicorn; what mattered were the lives being risked. Now officers and politicians will live with the event that happened that day, thankful they made it through, and hurting for the ones who hadn't.
The officers involved were put through a traumatic experience, and will never forget this day, but the aftermath was also unsettling. In a time where people should be coming together to fix where there was wrong, conflict occurred and only caused more issues. Politicians refused to speak, or disagreed with another, while the people remain to be split.
“Today we will be learning about Jackson Pollock,” my elementary art teacher declared. Black, white, and gray scribbles veiled a creamy background. The page was extremely disappointing at first; maybe it was prettier in person? He was a famous artist after all.
I scoured the page for any hidden details behind the splatters of paint. I thought I found anger in the paint blotches, but that was just an interpretation by my 8-year-old self. I still didn’t understand why its value was thousands of dollars.
In “A Painting or an NFT of it: Which Will Be More Valuable?'' Paul Sullivan explains the investment side of NFTs (non-fungible tokens). They are digital pieces of art embedded in a blockchain, enabling them to be secured to an owner and preventing them from being duplicated without permission. This renders them unique, making otherwise cheap media valuable. People have started purchasing NFTs and treating them as assets; they hold value, and investors hope this value will appreciate in the future.
A couple of months back, I watched a video about the most expensive NFT. There were so many photos in the piece that it was impossible to see any of them clearly from afar. I wondered what kind of beauty the buyer had seen in that huge cluster of images.
I now understand that it was expensive not because it was pretty. Fine art is just another way to diversify an investor’s portfolio while also being an interesting decoration to look at. NFTs simply make it easier to do that.
“Zoom Agrees to Settle Lawsuit Over ‘Zoombombing”
As the start of fall semester is right around the corner, it’s like déjà vu as it was announced that classes will be fully online due to high infection numbers. This means that the second semester of my freshman year, my full sophomore year, and now the first semester of my junior year have been online on and off again. While Zoom has been very useful during this tumultuous period, I am sure that I am the one of many who has experienced some disturbing events on the videoconferencing platform. For example, a former classmate who transferred to another school kept his Zoom login and screamed expletives at the teacher with insults about her weight and ethnicity. I commend my teacher for keeping it together after that tirade but the image of her quivering lips and tear-filled eyes is still seared into my memory.
Does Zoom deserve fault for this? Not on this occasion but as it has “agreed to pay $85 million and improve its security practices to settle a lawsuit claiming it violated the privacy of its users,” there does seem to be some accountability on Zoom’s part for the practice called ‘Zoombombing’ that has unfortunately entered into our lexicon. Hackers or those who intend on creating mischief will always be more creative in their deplorable ways than those who try to combat them, so we will probably never be completely rid of these immature and vile acts. When will this year and a half nightmare come to an end?
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https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/climate/biden-tailpipe-emissions-electric-vehicles.html#commentsContainer
This caught my attention.
Here's the thing, while yes the electric car would be better in terms of not using gasoline, it still leads to pollution in one way or another. The batteries in each car is made from lithium(the same thing that is in everyone's smartphone) which is mined from the earth in huge spiral mines. these mines devastate a far greater amount of area then an oil rig. not only that but all of the metal that is needed for the cars and all of the machines needed to put the cars together and obtain materials. now that is not to say that in time these procedures will get even better but as things are now there would still be pollution caused by the electric car industry. Even though I think that this new generation of cars will take a while to make a huge difference, I still think that it is a great step in the right direction!
Before the pandemic, I found reading paper books interesting. Whenever my teacher assigned readings, I would always read over the pages carefully. However, during the pandemic, I was learning from home on a screen. Everything became virtual: notes, dictionaries, packets, and books (PDFs). I don’t know why, but whenever my teacher assigned reading homework, I became tired and sick of reading it.
In “How Children Read Differently From Books vs. Screens,” Perri Klass, M.D. explains the difference between reading from books and screens for different ages of readers. Klass points out that the format children read can make a difference in terms of how they absorb information.
Naomi Baron is a professor emeritus of linguistics at American University and the author of “How We Read Now: Strategic Choices for Print, Screen and Audio.” She explains, “there are two components, the physical medium and the mind-set we bring to reading on that medium — and everything else sort of follows from that.” The college students who print out articles, Professor Baron said, tend to have higher grades and better test scores.
I still like to read, just not off screens.
Reading on a screen makes me distracted and loses my attention. My eyes and my brain also hurt when I stare at the screen for a long time. There are benefits to reading from both paper and screens, but I still think reading print is the “real” reading.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
“It’s shameful for her to pull out so close to the competition!” my mother told me, after we both heard the news that Simone Biles had pulled out of an event. Like her, initially, I thought the same, my feelings compounded by the fact that Biles has been the most prolific gymnast ever.
As a longtime gymnastics enthusiast, I felt that this was unfair to her team. Pulling out meant leaving other athletes in a lurch. Pulling out meant that Team U.S.A’s star performer was not there to lead the event, as she was meant to be.
And yet I realized that I had not seen the full picture. In the end, I believe she made the right decision, as does my mother, after the two of us read through Juliet Macur’s article. Mental block is a serious thing when it comes to performance in sports, especially technically-focused ones, as I know well from my own experience. And it is important for us all to understand and acknowledge that the maneuvers that Biles performs are not the kind of movements that a normal person can achieve in a lifetime, without extensive training and mental preparation.
It is the responsible thing to pull out in such cases. A world-class athlete does not owe a performance to everyone, especially when a moment of mid-air doubt could have resulted in a massive spinal injury big enough to end her career. That she realized allowed herself this vulnerability and stepped back should not be called a shameful thing.
Can Fake Images Show Us Something Real?
When I was little, my favorite genre was science fiction. From Ender’s Game to a Wrinkle in Time, I spent my summers playing make-believe with friends, living inside spaceships, traveling by tesseract, and imagining a world where my friends miles away could hug me in Virtual Reality. And while technology like Photoshop and CGI have allowed us to bring our wildest dreams closer to our reality, I never imagined technology could allow our memories to revisit us, or even create memories of their own. The idea of computers creating troubles me: memories are recollections of our personal experiences, and those experiences are what makes us different from everyone else. Who are machines to take memories and create false ones? Aarati Akkapeddi (they/them) mentions “the malleability of memories,” and I agree with them wholeheartedly; while memories may not be one-hundred-percent accurate, they are still unique and special, and I think that man-made memories take away from that. My childhood warned me of the costs of technology: this is exactly like the science fiction world it’s shaping up to be.
“Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports”
I have always been competitive in academics. When I was younger, I would strive to get the best test scores in the class so I could brag about it to my parents. However, this became unhealthy as I became older, as it led to becoming perfectionistic and a decrease in mental health. I participated in competitions about subjects that I wasn't interested in and were time-consuming in order to satisfy unreachable standards. I eventually burnt out from overworking and stopped participating in them.
I was initially shocked to learn that an athlete as accomplished as Simone Biles had withdrawn during such an important time in the Olympic competitions, but after reading the article, I realized how strong athletes need to be to maintain their career and reputation. They constantly strive to perform flawlessly, win gold medals, and fulfill the expectations of their fans and sponsors. In addition, Simone Biles is considered by many to be the greatest gymnast in history and the face of Team USA. This amount of pressure could easily make one very stressed and mentally exhausted and be detrimental to the mental health for almost anyone.
Olympic athletes are human, and thus need time away from the pressure the Olympics bring. It wouldn't have been healthy for her to continue performing, as it would only have led to her becoming more miserable. Thus, Simone Biles’s actions are not an act of weakness, but an act of necessity.
The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time
Ben Casselman and Ella Koeze
Wake up at 5:30, get ready for school, eat breakfast, drive 1 hour to school, spend at least 7 hours there, drive another hour back, do homework, eat dinner, sleep, repeat. That’s how most days were for me before the pandemic, but now I’m either spending all my time watching TV and playing video games or I’m in online class which is nowhere near as intuitive as in person learning. Currently most people are doing the same things, watching TV, playing video games, etc However, as nice as this may seem, how is this affecting us? According to the authors, “People last year spent far less waking time — an hour and a half less, on average — with people outside their own household. For people who didn’t live with anyone else, in particular, that meant a lot of time by themselves — more than 20 hours a day either asleep or alone, on average.” Imagine over 80% of your day alone or asleep, compared to before the pandemic. This isolation can have a negative impact on people’s social skills. For example, I met with one of my friends and it was so awkward and I was so nervous I barely spoke. In conclusion, the pandemic has had a major impact on how we manage our time and what we are able to do in that time.
"Mexico Sues Gun Companies in U.S., Accusing Them of Fueling Violence."
When I read of through this article, all this new information did not phase me. Why? Because it's not a huge surprise that the U.S. has such terrible issues with gun control that it's affecting an entirely different country next to it when they have much stricter gun control laws. What disgusts me is that there are laws protecting gunmakers from lawsuits when they SHOULD be held responsible for their actions. This is entirely unfair to the family of those who have lost their lives to gun violence who deserve justice.
On top of this, the lack of gun control in the U.S. is so normalized that people even make jokes about them. In reality, situations and issues like this within a nation shouldn't be joked about especially since lives, young and old, are being lost. Despite what gun control has done for so many countries by decreasing the overall gun violence in their nations, the United States still has not followed nor listened, causing things to become worse. Hopefully this is a sign things will change with the recent lawsuit against U.S. gun companies. It's about time they were held responsible.
The internet was supposed to bring people together. And with the prevalence of smart phones, we have immediate access to more information than any than other generation before us. And yet, instead of bringing people together, smartphones may be creating another divide. Just recently, I had the opportunity to meet a friend whom I met online. For over a year, we had formed a relationship through chats and in-game messaging. So when we finally had the chance to meet face-to-face, I thought we would click immediately. However, it was quite the opposite as after some small talk, we both defaulted back to our comfort zone: our smartphones.
As I read Jonathan Haidt and Jean M. Twenge’s article, “This is Our Chance to Pull Teenagers Out of the Smartphone Trap”, I couldn’t help but to think of that awkward meeting. As the article states, “it now appears that electronically mediated social interactions are like empty calories”—with the “empty calories” being people whom we consider to be friends, but may not really be. Cell phones are great for many things; unfortunately, they have also become a crutch for many of us. Instead of talking and working our way through awkward moments or focusing on the people near us, we hide behind a screen as if it were a force field. Having access to the web is great—but at what cost?
The Pandemic changed how we spend our time
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/27/business/economy/covid-parenting-work-time.html
Whipped coffee, sourdough bread, and zoom meetings are all memories of the first weeks of quarantine. Parents and kids hoped the quarantine would only last two weeks, as expected. But, two weeks became a year and a half. Early pandemic activities quickly fizzled out, and without many of our normal activities, the pandemic changed how we spent our time.
Pre-pandemic, I spent most of my time running around from place to place. With school, sports, friends, and other activities, I was rarely home. The same went with my parents, who worked long hours in their offices, and my brother, who had recently started a new job. None of us were used to being home with each other and without a packed schedule when the pandemic hit.
The use of our time shifted from our own activities to things we could do together. Binge-watching Netflix shows became family movie nights. Grabbing something quick between practices became a thoughtfully cooked sit-down dinner. The way my family’s time with teenage and adult children shifted was much different from the families I knew with young kids. In those families, their focus shifted to balancing working from home and full-time childcare.
Even with the increase in time spent with members of our household, when the zoom meetings ended and there was nowhere to go, we spent most of our time alone.
“CNN fires three employees who went into the office unvaccinated.”
I have seen and read in the news all this week about companies starting to require proof of vaccination for their employees. However, this particular story is something that jumped out at me because I was yet to hear of employees being fired over this issue. I find it to be a little too strict of these companies to fire their employees for coming to work. It is not legal to force someone to get the vaccine, no matter how much someone recommends it, they are never going to be required to get the shot. CNN seems to be indirectly violating this by firing more than one of their employees for not receiving the COVID vaccine. Personally, I do not see why they are making this a company requirement. If people want to take the risk of not getting the vaccine, they should have the freedom of being able to make that decision without the thought of losing their job. Those who are more nervous about the virus have two options. They could either get the vaccine, which most people have done, or they could not go into work. Also in this article, it mentioned that CNN only has about a third of their employees in the office. I do not think these three employees should have been fired, and I think there is a better solution to deal with vaccine requirements in offices.
“Come look at this video that my parents sent me!”
“Coming!” I eagerly replied.
My dad always shows me entertaining pictures or videos sent by my grandparents through social media about animals, art, or science.
My dad’s not the only one. Friends share funny videos and strangers on Youtube or Twitter display fun moments from their lives to me and millions of others. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for one thing: phones.
Not everybody agrees that phones bring connection. In “This Is Our Chance to Pull Teenagers Out of the Smartphone Trap” Haidt and Twenge explain how the Program for International Student Assessment found that loneliness at school has doubled in Europe, Latin America and anglophone countries and increased by about 50% in East Asian countries. They demonstrate that social media and phones have “brought about a planetary rewiring of human interaction” and “transformed relationships.” Consequently, screen times for teens should be limited.
I can’t quite agree with this. My experience with family, friends, and complete strangers through phones has given me opportunities to be more social, virtually and in real life. During quarantine, phones allowed my friends and me to communicate.
People assume that phones are the main causes of loneliness, but thousands of other possibilities, like homework or drugs, might be instead. What’s not to say that instead of being consumed by harmful social media, teens are showing each other cute bird videos?
In an argument about cats vs. dogs, my friend said, “Dogs can detect cancer even in the early stages. Can your cat do that?” I didn’t know what to say, since cats have been anecdotally known to detect diseases, but that isn’t talked about nearly as much as the dogs’ abilities to identify illness.
My cat had an ear infection and other problems before, so we’ve probably paid more attention to his health than he has to ours.
James Gordan’s “The Unappreciated Importance of Cats (to Medical Science)” discusses how cats have benefited the medical field. Cats get less attention than dogs because the different breeds of dogs offer more genetic ailments, and perhaps because more people like dogs.
However, understanding diseases in cats can help humans with the same conditions as well in humans. One noted example with current relevance is that “...remdesivir, an important drug in combating Covid, was first successfully used against a cat disease caused by another coronavirus.” The organization of the cat genome is also similar to the human genome in some ways, and can help us understand some parts of mammalian DNA.
Cats also don’t get cancer very often. This is attributed to “a fascinating story of evolution.” If we could understand why this happened, perhaps we could reduce our risk of cancer as well.
I’m ready to head back into the cat vs. dog argument for round two the next time I meet my friend!
Not 15 miles from my house, there lies a large solar farm. And in every yard surrounding it? Signs reading “NO SOLAR FARMS.” Ironic, isn’t it? I asked my mom about why people would be against something meant to help the environment, but her only response was a simple “I’m not sure.”
After some research, I found that most people are against their construction because they don’t do the adequate research needed to understand how they work. It’s easy for people to jump to conclusions when they want to be against a new idea, but taking the time to understand the pros and cons is a crucial step towards addressing a problem.
The article “How to Calm Your Climate Anxiety” describes the many ways climate change can affect mental health. Molly Peterson describes the ways this condition has impacted the lives of many, focusing on those directly affected by the wildfires in California. Like any kind of anxiety, it can be treated by directly confronting the problem. Taking action to promote environmental awareness can help people that are struggling to accept the world we live in. If we want to help others heal, we need to educate ourselves on issues affecting our environment and those in it. It takes an army to win a war, so it is crucial for us to spread awareness of issues harming the world we live in.
Although it is summer break, I am spending lots of time indoors on Netflix, watching Youtube, playing video games, and relaxing in my free time. My parents always tell me to stop staring at a screen all day. But during the pandemic, I have been spending even more time staring at a screen, because of online school. I also feel like I’m relaxing, and staring at a screen more often rather than doing things such as studying or exercising. My parents have been working from home, and have spent more time doing chores and helping my siblings and me.
In “The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time” by Ben Casselman and Ella Koeze, we see how the pandemic has changed our lifestyles. The American Time Use Survey tracks what Americans have been doing during the pandemic. “With less time out of the house, Americans stared at screens a lot, for Zoom happy hours, Netflix binges or idle social media scrolling.”
Teenagers are particularly guilty of monitor fixation, sacrificing exercise time. The pandemic has also affected school and work. Many adults changed their everyday lives. Some lost their jobs, and others, like my parents, have to work from home. Parents are also busier with housework and helping their kids with online learning.
Once the pandemic is over, I hope to be more productive. I intend to spend more time with my family outside, get more work done, be more social, and put down my electronics. I know that it’s important for me to go outside and look up from my devices.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/us/the-end-of-summer.html
When thinking about summer I imagine the perfect warm weather, and the blissful peace of having time to relax and let go of the stresses of the school year. The season of summer has always been something that I, along with most students look forward to throughout the entire year. When things go wrong, the promise of summer always gives us the hope to push forward, knowing that we will reach it soon.
Despite what we imagine for our perfect summer, the effects of climate change have shown their true and dangerous potential. In my hometown I have noticed different weather patterns, and have heard firsthand about the fires on the west coast from relatives who live there. This summer has been the opposite of a relaxing hiatus for many people across the United States and the rest of the world.
Across the United States this summer has brought on extreme wildfires in the west, record breaking heat waves, unusual weather patterns, melting snow on the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, devastating droughts, and red tides that threaten marine life across the coasts, all causing significant and devastating damage to our planet.
As I read this article it made it clear that these events serve as a dangerous wake up call to people all over the world. We need to be compelled to take a stand to fight for our planet. If we don’t, summer won’t be the only thing that climate change will affect and alter our ideal versions of.
"Argentina Formally Recognizes Nonbinary People, a Latin American First"
I stood at the bookstore counter, waiting. After a couple of clicks and silent exchanges, the lady looked up at me and said, “I’m sorry, but Singaporean regulations forbid the sale of LGBTQ+ themed books.”
I’d asked for Call Me By Your Name, a novel on the relationship between a boy and his father’s male research assistant. I was not actually expecting to receive the book, of course. Not in Singapore, where by law being gay is enough to put a man in jail for two years.
In other words, people like me are essentially unapprehended criminals.
The two countries I live in, China and Singapore, both regulate public LGBTQ+ themed media. That’s why the recognition of the nonbinary population in Argentina is so important to me – President Fernández’s decision doesn’t only mean its easier for nonbinary people to acquire papers that portrays their true identity, it is also a symbol of cultural and social acknowledgement. Instead of a large X marked on their passports, condemning them as anomalies, this policy recognizes nonbinary people as being equal with everyone else.
It's not that attempts for LGBTQ+ rights haven't been made in China and Singapore. Still though, policy makers have decided otherwise with excuses of “cultural heritage” and “past traditions''. Opening this opportunity for nonbinary groups in Latin America is but the start of a larger fight to ensure equal treatment for everyone.
“As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again.”
Over the past year, COVID has hit a lot of people in different ways. Some have lost their jobs, homes, or even their family due to it. But with the decreasing of cases things started to get better, more “normal”. Just now with the spread of the new “delta variant” and increase of cases things might start to turn back around fir the worst. This article talks about the increasing in cases and how the C.D.C. Is starting to urge more people to wear masks, vaccinated or not. This announcement was made to try and prevent the cases from increasing anymore than they already have. One of the C.D.C workers stated that this updated recommendation is something that is unfortunate and worrisome and is not a decision they made lightly. Along with this, Dr. Walensky talks about how the risk of the new delta variant and how unvaccinated people are slowing down the end to this pandemic.
This article really stood out to me because next week I am starting band camp and all everyone has been talking about is if we will need to wear masks or not due to these changing rules. It also stood out to me due to the effects this pandemic has had on everyone. I don’t think anyone wants to become stuck in their house again on another “two week break”. This article also helped me realize that this pandemic is not over and how everyone must still work together and stay strong to help fully put a stop to it.
Modern Love Podcast: Was It Me or Our Astrology?
Despite the different cultures and ethics, many countries seemingly all keep the same divination heritage which is always a concerning question for our humankind, “Do you believe in destiny?”
Like how Amisha shared her path to astrology in the podcast, many people started to believe in destiny after being stuck in hardships without an excellent method to move forward.
I used to be obsessed with astrology as this became a shared secret among all my close friends. I firmly believed that astrology could help me find the answers to all the problems I faced. My favorite video channel is a famous Tarot reader who predicts her viewers’ futures. I often watched her videos and selected one tarot card to obtain a hint to battle against any uncertainty in my future. This caused another issue drawing a bad card upset me, and drawing a sound card excited me. I would change my lifestyle and take a positive attitude towards everything if my tarot card predicted a smooth future or happy result. These kinds of future predictions dominated my life very soon and made me even fail on something I am good at.
My best friend noticed my frustration and told me that this future reading is just psychological persuasion. I should stay away from it when my life is heavily impacted. However, my life returned to normal with no surprise, and I learned that I could be my future predictor. No one can determine what your future looks like except your actions.
Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports
On the day of the play, I collapsed. A year ago, I joined our school’s volleyball team as an outside hitter. Sadly, I turned out to be the worst one. For the same lousy spike, my teammates received criticism, whereas I got scolds. One time, our best hitter was absent from an upcoming play, and I had to take her place. Naturally, the coach expected similar performance from me. Expectation was high, but what I could reach was low.
I was reduced to mental breakdown. No matter how the coach scolded me, I refused to move. The end of the game.
My coach must have felt ashamed. Sports competitions celebrate toughness, while her student was showing the exact opposite. I was lucky to stay in the team even after this humiliation, yet many superb athletes suffered endless criticism. Liu Xiang, the best Chinese hurdler in history, was deemed a “coward” who “betrayed China” by netizens when he dropped the race for injury in 2008 Beijing Olympics. Despite socio political differences between China and the U.S, the public in both countries could have grown more athlete-centric. We saw athletes only as paragons of winning for a country. Yet the Olympics is not a medal factory, nor are athletes mere winning machines. The moment for Biles is invigorating. Her exit inspires other athletes to say no. Perhaps sports isn’t the only field that needs a “weakness” revolution. Everyone should be understood for his or her imperfection.
"Who Decides What a Champion Should Wear?"
"These shorts keep riding up, I can't stand it." exclaimed my teammate as we walked onto the court. Spandex weren't exactly the most comfortable after three sets and two games. The combination of diving, jumping, and running led to the unfortunate outcome of chaffing, but who cared if we were uncomfortable, that's what volleyball entailed. If you weren't in the middle of a play, you were pulling your disobedient shorts down, hoping that they'd stay in place. They didn't. So you'd repeat and repeat until the game was over, the shorts winning more rounds than you.
I never questioned the unruly shorts, being told time and time again that they're solely for performance. They're meant to be breathable and flexible. They're meant to improve an athletes mobility. However, when they're working against me, my focus darts from my game, to my attire. If they aren't improving my performance, then who are they helping?
As an athlete, it's hard to question tradition, especially when the majority isn't in my favor. It's simply not an option to give up an essential part of my life because of lifeless material. However, seeing professional teams and olympic athletes stand up to decades of revealing attire gives me hope that one day, athletes will be able to choose what works best for themselves without being publicly condemned for it. After all, success is success, regardless of the fabric an athlete sports.
In "With #MeToo Case, China Takes a Swipe at Celebrity Obsession", Amy Qin and Eisie Chen describe Kris Wu’s sexual assault case. Since the Internet first reported it, I have noticed how much malice a victimized woman can suffer in a patriarchal society. Fans and male chauvinists shamed, harassed and sent death threats to the survivor . It's hard to imagine how a young adult can withstand such pressure and fight back on Weibo. It is difficult to obtain evidence for rape in China and there is no law to protect victims' safety.
After Kris was detained, all of his accounts disappeared. The official said, "We are concerned about the impact on the youth." However, it reminds me of the sex scandal when Kris quit EXO and entered the entertainment industry. He was in simultaneous relationships with several fans, and he broke them off violently. As a "positive energy" oriented media group, The Communist Youth League did not issue any warning to Kris, but instead awarded and praised him extensively on social media.
When all of society criticizes his imperfect victim, her only choice is to repeatedly open her wounds and reveal more details on social media as “proof”.
Did Kris lose on this one? No. He already had everything – money, fame, and a devoted fan base. In a country with almost no punishment for rape, his may not be severe. He won. At least China and the whole world knows he is a rapist.
Two hours. 4 slides to go. Tap tap. Outline completed. One hour. Quotes sourced. Citations. Thirty-four minutes left. Time's ticking. Fingers flying across the keyboard. MLA formatting finalized. Revision. Editing. Nine minutes. Tap tap tap TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP! Two minutes... file downloaded... where's the upload button?! The panic has set in. Click. One minute left... upload successful! Deadline met, barely. A sense of safety wraps me.
In, "How to Get Things Done When You Don't Want to Do Anything", Cameron Walker writes that there are two types of motivation—controlled and autonomous. Controlled motivation, one "when you feel you’re being ruled by outside forces", like my project due dates, seem to be my only moving force. Virtual class during the pandemic meant the ability to slack off whenever you wished to. It's easy to write an essay an hour before class, with just enough effort needed to appease my parents and teachers. It’s easy to fall into an unproductive slump, all starting goals and dreams forgotten.
Why had I started to study in the first place? I started, because of my competitive and rebellious side—if they can do it, what makes you think I can’t? I had a point to learn, a passion for it. Now, it has the same vibe as trekking through frozen sludge turned ice, slipping, sliding, struggling. Pointless. I’ve long since forgotten my destination, the reason I started the trek. It’s about time I remembered.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/sports/olympics/simone-biles-mental-health.html
In the time since Simone Biles has made the decision to withdraw from the individual all-around gymnastics competition, I have seen a variety of responses across the internet. From people declaring that she has failed and disgraced her country, to those coming out with their support for her during her struggle.
Watching Biles flip and spin, defying gravity as she performs maneuvers no other gymnasts dare compete, I wonder how someone could ever put her name in the same sentence as the word “failure.” If anything, after reading “Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports” by Jeré Longman, I can truly see that Biles is the opposite of weak.
As a competitive cheerleader, I am often forced to trust my body in the air the same way a gymnast has to. Trust that my muscles know how to get my feet on the ground again once my body throws itself into positions that seem like it shouldn’t be able to do. The pressure that’s put on you, to perform a motion for everyone seemingly on command, is unimaginable to those who have never experienced it. The pressure of having as many eyes on you as Biles does competing at the Olympic level is something I could never even begin to comprehend. Watching her set an example for athletes everywhere as she gathers the courage to stand up for herself and do what’s right for her health is both inspiring and awe-inducing.
"‘Sex Talks’ Should Start Earlier Than You Think"
“You’re picked up in the rubbish bin.” My mom will always respond like this when I asked her where I came from, and she is just one of the hundreds of thousands of moms who “picked their children in the bins”.
I don’t like that answer, though. It’s common to see parents avoid mentioning topics about sex and teenagers having incorrect perceptions towards it. Sex talks are the taboos in many adults’ heart, which may due to the similar environment they grew in. When their children ask questions related to sex, they ignore genitals, bodies, adolescence and even how to protect oneself.
I consider it crucial to educate parents first, for it’s hard for them to give proper sex education when they grew up without it. To keep up with times, they also need to change some ideas about what children education should be like. In my opinion, the things taught to children can’t be a copy of what they received in their youth, but must be carefully decided with necessary concerns for children. Educations about sex and other “taboo” topics are part of what the children need.
Before it was hard for me to talk about sex with parents, and the lack of sex education made sex a taboo for my family. We’re changing ourselves, however. Sex talks become embarrassing in person, but we can chat online and recommend passages instead of direct talks. We’re trying our best to find those agreeable ways to throw the taboo label on sex into rubbish bin.
We're Living in Hell: Inside Mexico's Most Terrified City
Fresnillo Mexico is one of the most dangerous cities in all of Mexico with the highest murder rate in the whole country. Many atrocious incidents happen in that city and across the country. One sad night two men rammed into Guadalupe's house, took her two children, and executed them right outside of the house, neither Guadalupe nor the police knew the motive or identity of the killers. 96% of all residents in Guadalupe say they feel unsafe and scared just being in their homes at night, that is considerably the highest average in all of mexico. While Mexico’s government over the past few decades has tried to stop all this violence, they have been unsuccessful. Many different attempts such as brute force including arresting and killing traffickers, and a different point of view “hugs not bullets” where the government would attempt to figure out the problem and fix it without torturing or killing the people responsible for this violence. I think the government simply needs more people, more manpower to stop this crisis. With more police officers and better background checks you can get closer to ridding corrupt cops and stopping this violence in the streets. The government so far has focused on funding social programs to improve education and employment for young people, some progress has been made but there's still lots of room for improvement.
To answer the question “What Do Gen Z Shoppers Want? A Cute, Cheap Outfit That Looks Great on Instagram”, where three girls are asked what affects their wardrobe choices, you just have to analyze said girls.
Mia Grantham, 16. Andrea Vargas, 18. Nicole Lambert, 20. Mia buys new clothes for everything from “meals to friends’ birthdays to school”. Andrea “doesn’t like repetition”. Translation: things are worn once or twice, then discarded. Nicole’s goal is to “go with the crowd” and follow popular trends. For all three, others’ opinions play a huge part in their decisions. Their primary concern is pleasing others. They seek validation in the form of fawning comments on social media.
While these views are intriguing, I find them inaccurate. I myself relish the comforting casualness of tennis shorts. My friend Maori enjoys hiding in oversize hoodies. Grace skulks around in sweatpants and T-shirts. Kelli is fond of stretchy leggings that actually permit movement.
Mia, Andrea, and Nicole might say that beauty comes at a price. That it’s worth it when people gush and swoon over your gorgeous ensemble and what a QUEEN you are, darling!
To that, I say, let us go out on a 30-degree-morning and see who fares better: me, rolled up in a hideous but cozy puffy coat...or you, clad in nothing but a skimpy dress which looks stunning but fails to protect. Others’ praise may bring satisfaction and security, but I doubt even the most effusive of praise can fend off the bitter cold!
“There’s No ‘One Size Fits All’ Treatment for Asthma”
When I was three, I started to have trouble breathing. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with asthma. I had to use an asthma inhaler for thirteen years. When I started playing sports, I found that my asthma stopped me from participating in many activities. At one camp, I failed a swim test because I experienced an asthma attack.
As many are aware of, asthma is a condition in which a person's airways become inflamed making it difficult to breathe. Asthma can last from several years to a lifetime. My mom has brought me to many asthma “experts” from specialized asthma doctors to acupuncturists and chiropractors. Though some treatments helped make my asthma attacks less frequent, they never stopped the attacks from coming.
Reading the article, I felt like it was narrating my life. I realize that I am part of the “25 million people in the United States” suffering from asthma, a fact which makes me conflicted. I’m pained that there is no “one size fits all” treatment for asthma—often I hear stories of people who were magically “cured” by a treatment, but it didn’t happen to me. Asthma is a complicated disease and it is one that millions have to live with daily. But I feel like there is a silver lining. Increased awareness and progress in research around asthma promises new medical advancements. Maybe, in the future, some medicine would be created to entirely cure people of asthma instead of them relying on an inhaler frequently.
"No Witchcraft, but Specter of Covid Shaped a Classroom in Salem, Mass"
As I sat in my room watching a screen of letters on Zoom, I realized that this math class is going to be as “interesting” as ever. Throughout most of the class, the only people with their cameras on are me and the math teacher. We have the most “exciting” discussions where everyone feels free to voice their opinions, but no one does anyways. This was what all of my classes were like during remote learning.
Since my experience of remote learning was filled with awkward silences, I was surprised when Roneline Ramoutarsingh said in the article “No Witchcraft, but Specter of Covid Shaped a Classroom in Salem, Mass,” that she formed closer connections to her students since she got to see more of their personal life. I never got the chance to bond with my classmates. The only activities that we ever did to get to know each other this year was introducing ourselves in the first few classes. Because I rarely get to see people who weren’t in my classes, when I finally went to school in person, there were many people who were in my grade that I was never aware of. I saw my friends from middle school walking with people who I never saw before, and when my friends told me they were in my grade, I struggled to believe them.
Remote learning has stolen a valuable year of making connections and is forcing me to start this year as if I’m just entering high school again.
"She Changed Astronomy Forever. He Won the Nobel Prize For It."
How society treats women has recently been a point of contention in America. Even though all of us would like to say that there is equity between sexes in the modern day, it’s just simply not true. In the case of Jocelyn Bell, her contributions to a groundbreaking scientific discovery were completely undermined.
Most, if not all sensible people agree that this is bad, but we’re still complacent.
Of course, there is some sentiment of needing to speak up on such topics, but it manifests itself in the form of shallow pursuit of political correctness in social media. I can’t count how many Twitter threads I’ve seen where someone innocuous is attacked by a malicious person hiding under the pretense of enforcing social justice, and it makes me want to howl in frustration. This behavior has left the realm of wanting to do good, and has become petty mongering that only wastes time and energy when there are real issues to be addressed.
Jocelyn Bell’s story is out there for anyone who wishes to see and understand, but no one does because they’re preoccupied with starting spats on Twitter. Can you see the problem with this?
We could be petitioning. We could be using our voices online to tell people about Jocelyn Bell and countless others like her, and instead, we choose to get angry at strangers on Twitter for practically no reason.
We should be doing so much more.
"Are You a Bad Person for Watching the Olympics?"
I watched the Olympics to see the peak of humanity, the people who were the best, who poured their heart and soul for their country. One of my life goals was to be an Olympic athlete one day. Seeing the estatic swimmers with awed expressions when they surpass expectations or with awed expressions at their own times defined the Olympics for me.
Every time the Olympics were on and I didn’t watch, I felt I was doing a dishonor to the athletes for not aknowledging them. Olympic swimming was the reason why I took up competitive swimming, and joined my high school swim team. I watched the Olympics to see how the best swimmers in the world trained, swam, and celebrated.
As I grew older and realized the world is not a beautifully perfect place, I have come to realize the many faults the event holds, such as drug abuse, doping, and many other scandals, and by watching the Olympics, I inadverdantly supported these incidents. The spirit of the Games linger, but there is a darker story behind the sports and victories we choose not to see.
I was glad the author asked “Are you a bad person for watching the Olympics” because it allowed me to realize that the true spirit of the games lies not in the commitee, but in the athletes, because they show us the true meaning of perserverance, tenacity, and strength. The Olympians show uswhat they can do against all odds, and I will watch with the intent to share their experiences.
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“The South Must Teach Its Children the Truth”
Censorship in schools is nothing new. The banning of sensitive materials starts early in a child’s education, whether it’s Junie B Jones for being much too juvenile for toddlers, or dark topics for being much too adult for toddlers. In this case, I consider censorship to be justified, as it prevents the exposure of bad influences or frightening subjects to young children. Despite concerns of limited free speech, censorship here serves its purpose: to protect a child’s innocence.
However, the censorship of Civil War history in Southern American schools is unjustifiable. According to Margaret Renkl, when she was a Southern youth, their history lessons described only the victories of the Confederacy, not the struggles of enslaved people. In doing so, their education system upholds a false narrative of Confederate honor by omitting the ugliness from their history. Their censorship is still protecting something, only this time, it’s the false pride of white Southerners in their cruel heritage.
With this historical negationism comes consequences: by believing that the actions of White Americans have always been just throughout history, it prevents students from making important changes today. It’s necessary to discuss these uncomfortable topics to improve as a society and honor the pain of the past, instead of just covering it up.
Because in the end, who does that really benefit?
"What is The 'J. Lo Effect'"
When somebody mentions the name J. Lo, the first thing that I think about is her undeniable success, well besides her iconic year 2000 Grammy dress. I think about how she has dominated in all industries including modeling, acting, and music. Over the yers she has accumulated a net worth of over $400 million by branding herself correctly and never "falling off" or getting "cancelled". A theory that the media has suspected her success could be due to a phenomenon known as the 'J. Lo Effect'. This would entail that a majority of her fame came from her beauty instead of her talent, even though it is undeniable that she is a powerhouse in all fields she commits to. Her attractive advantage may also be the reason that people weren't upset with her as she quickly moved on from her ex-fiancé to her new romance with Ben Affleck. I see none of this as true as J. Lo has proved herself as a powerful woman throughout her many years in the industry and I see it as insulting that people theorize that her success is only due to her lure, however it is interesting to read into the misogyny.
“In Korea, You Don’t Have to Explain TikTok to Your Grandma”
My grandparents are “lowkey” trendier than I am. My grandparents, who live in Korea, call me on Facetime and text Youtube links to me. They even know all the acronyms and slang I use on text.
Classified as Gen Z, my everyday life involves a lot of social media — opening my day with Youtube videos and closing it with liking Instagram posts. While these platforms have long been thought to be for young people, things are starting to change.
My Youtube algorithm has recently led me to watch videos featuring ordinary grandmas and grandpas, including cooking tutorials, daily vlogs, and lookbooks — typical Youtube topics for our generation. However, different from those that focus on “flexing,” or showing off, and raising views, these videos feel more like my own grandparents sharing their daily routines and hobbies. Their small, personal talks on the videos also make me nostalgic for the past storytimes with my grandparents.
The media presence of the older generation not only diversifies online platforms but also connects generations. The virtual grandparents who passionately strive for their dreams act as friendly encouragement for the younger generation to have goals for the future.
Maybe our grandparents have always been trendier than we thought. Maybe we just assumed that they only read paper newspapers and don’t know the internet world. Yet social media is thankfully and easily breaking these stereotypes for us.
“‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years”
I can remember watching the show “Arthur” as a young child. I never knew exactly what the character Arthur was (an aardvark!), but I did know that he was similar to me. In reality, he represented all young children. Through his own life experiences and those around him, I was exposed to an array of lessons that taught me to be who I am today. At such a young age, I needed to be molded in a way that allowed me to accept my flaws and work on my mistakes—“Arthur” helped me accomplish this!
Isabella Paz summarized the positive effect of “Arthur” on kids, helping them to “grow and shape their worlds” uniquely. By allowing kids to “validate” themselves in a way that accepted their “bad feelings”, “Arthur” transcended many kids’ television shows whose single purpose was maintaining high viewership. Now, it is certainly distressing to many that the show is coming to an end, but I see it as a call to action.
This show held a place in our lives that may seem irreplaceable, but what if the answer to its absence is all around us. The countless lessons grasped from “Arthur” are those that we can see in everyday life. What if the show’s end is an opportunity to put its messages into action in the way that it yearned for? If today’s children could see the essence of “Arthur” in the people they meet and the experiences they confront, wouldn’t its wisdom be so much more valuable? After 25 years of watching, it is time to act in our own episodes.
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
When the situation concerning covid continued deteriorating, and the "two week-long" break became months of lockdown, I knew near the beginning that I would have to adapt to the new reality, for the sale of mental and physical wellbeing.
In the article, screen time increased greatly across the board for all demographics. I was no exception. I gamed, scrolled, and binged much more than in normal conditions. This was inevitable - even with my efforts to go outside (away from other people, of course; after all, it's a pandemic) and unplug often, the sheer amount of time spent in the house led to much-increased screen time. It wasn't all bad; I caught up on some shows that I couldn't watch before due to my schedule - but I can't help but think that some of that time could have been better spent.
One interesting thing I saw in my age group in the article was that the amount of exercise done per day decreased. For me at least, it was the opposite. Even pre-covid, I was very active - I was an athlete, competing in boxing and wrestling. The void that covid created - ripping away the opportunities to compete in those high-contact sports - meant I had to substitute with hours of lifting and running to make up for it. I was blessed to be able to acquire equipment to work out with - many of the hours of my day were spent lifting iron and going on runs to condition my body for the days where I could compete, as I was meant to.
"The Skateboarders Taking Over Are Among the Youngest Olympians in Tokyo"
Watching those young 'uns compete in the Olympics made me feel jealous and hatred of them.
Just kidding! Seeing barely teenage girls compete in the Olympics and actually winning medals crashed a wave of enjoyment in myself like a father watching his daughters. But it wasn't a mere happiness but... how should I say it, a 6:3:1 mix of magical feeling and genuine happiness and surprise.
I actually watched the event highlights through Youtube when it suddenly popped in my recommendations. Although I've never actually watched any skateboarding events, the title of "THIRTEEN-year-old Momiji Nishiya wins gold in street skateboarding" was already enough for me to microwave my popcorn and my coke and EAT IT!
This event was literally the embodiment. of "on the edge of one's seat." The back and forth matchups, especially in the last round with all very young players, was truly a moment of marvel.
P.S. Kudos to all the players and especially Momiji for winning.
But I also felt this strange feeling of "What am I doing with my life?" I'm 17, Momiji is 13; yet the disparity between our life seem farther than the earth and the sun. But as long as I try my best, opportunities will come to me, right? Right?
As this article mentions perfectly, there are too many prodigies in the game, or maybe in the world. But as the players all proved, what matters ain't the age but dedication and skill. - Kyle(Boomer prodigy)
“Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set”
Mental Health; a topic that has been so stigmatized that many refuse to speak out about it or even acknowledge it. It is concerning to see how many people don’t understand the severity of some mental health problems or how hard it is to cope with them. Mental health and mindset is so important for athletes, because it can make all the difference in performance and overall wellbeing. As an athlete, I can personally relate to one of the common questions asked: whether to push through the pain or stop to protect myself. This is one of the ideas that the author mentioned within the article, as it is always important for an athlete to know their limits.
After withdrawing from the competition, Simone Biles stated that she is human, and not just a form of entertainment at the Olympics. Many people on social media went on to call her weak or a quitter when in reality, she is one of the strongest and most inspiring athletes to youth across the country. Using her platform to speak out about mental health and do what is best for her regardless of other’s opinions can inspire others to reach out for help who may need it. This makes me wonder if more athletes will end up speaking up about mental health to help make the topic less stigmatized and follow in the footsteps of Simone Biles. This problem will only ever get better if mental health is treated and acknowledged as the real and current problem that it is.
I read Dixie Fire Burns Through Historic Greenville. I find reading articles like these very interesting as I've always wondered if forest fires reach cities and towns. My brother lives in California and I am going to ask him next week if he was affected. I never knew how massive and expansive some of these fires really are. I know that he lives in the heart of his city however I wonder in what ways he may be affected. One day in New York it was very smokey outside due to these forest fires. I didn't realize that it was due to the fires and when I found this out I was amazed that the smoke held its density for that long. This is what I read about forest fires.
How To Fall Off A Mountain
“‘Falling is the consequence that we accept for our decision to leave the ground,’” said Sabourin. It is the consequence we accept for spreading our wings, for leaping to the air, for taking to the skies and the stars of opportunity.
If only. If only we are willing to open our wings.
I was not.
Two years ago, I came down with allergies: itchy, unrelenting coughs and constant sniffling. Unpleasant, to say the least.
At the time, I was in my school’s math club. Every week, I’d join twenty other students for lectures on algebra tricks or mock runs of the AMC. Never mind my anxieties about my lack of knowledge—they didn’t matter, for I had a friend with whom I could share such struggles.
Jenny and I rarely saw each other outside of club meetings. She was frank and loved anime, and though the only anime I’ve ever watched is Pokemon, I valued her friendship. We would sit next to each other during the club, puzzling over strange new symbols or some mysterious math.
Then the allergies hit.
I took a two-week hiatus to avoid plaguing the club with my coughs, but when the allergies cleared, I found my heart tangled dark with doubts. What if I was now behind? What if others judged me? Was learning worth embarrassing myself?
No, I decided.
Later, Jenny and I stopped speaking. I never did learn more about competition math, though I once found it so fascinating.
I chose to stay safe, on the ground. And never once did I consider: I could get up after falling.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
I personally admire Simone Biles for the courage it must have taken to withdraw and opt out of the final competitions. I know a lot of people found it weak and disappointing for her to withdraw yet they have no idea what was going through her head and how much she was struggling. She clearly must have been struggling an enormous amount for her to even consider not competing in the finals. I thought it was ridiculous how some people reacted to this news and have reacted to other athletes admitting they struggled with the intense pressure. Specifically, the comment that mentioned people labeling an athlete mentally weak is absurd to me. I cannot imagine the pressure and stress Simone Biles is under not only from the whole country, but her coaches, family, and herself. I did love that the article mentioned N.C.A.A. creating a mental health initiative for athletes who have struggled with anxiety and depression from the pressure. athletes such as Michael Phelps, Gracie Gold, and even some NBA athletes.
Personally, I admired her strength to come forward and say openly to the world "No, I'm not OK" and acknowledge her vulnerability.
"After a Steep Plunge in Virus Cases, Every State is Seeing an Uptick"
The new Delta variant of Covid-19 is probably the most deadly out of them all, A lot of people who aren't vaccinated are getting highly affected. Companies such as Pfizer and Moderna are trying to encourage people to get the vaccine as this new variant is highly contagious. The shocking decrease of vaccine shots per day since April is incredibly scary, as not only more people are not vaccinated, more people are now open to the variant. In conclusion, people need to be more willing to get vaccinated and companies should be better at giving more shots per day.
In part of “The Louvre’s Art Sleuth Is on the Hunt for Looted Paintings,” Elaine Sciolino delves into an art controversy: the sale of Dorville’s, a Jewish man’s, paintings in a Vichy government organized art auction. Now, his heirs want the paintings, displayed in the Louvre and other museums, back.
The Dorvilles brought the French government to court, arguing the sale wasn’t willingly made: a result of “wartime anti-Jewish laws.” The government defended itself by “relying largely on gaps in the evidence about how the auction came to be.” In the end, a commission decided that the “auction was carried out ‘without coercion or violence.’” The Louvre would be returning their paintings, but other museums would not.
It’s baffling. Though the other museums bought the paintings, they get to keep them because “the government did not declare the sale illegal.” However, the Louvre must return the paintings because they were involved in the auction––though the other museums, logically, were as well.
Not only is the outcome strange, Sciolino is one-sided in how she covers the trial, which hinders my comprehension. She leaves out insights from the French government while including many quotes from the family and others supporting them. It left me confused with how the government was able to win, when the article provides only evidence supporting the Dorvilles. In order for readers to form their own opinion, they should’ve been given more information on how the government defended itself.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/opinion/cdc-covid-guidelines.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
"The C.D.C. Needs to Stop Confusing the Public"
It was almost two years ago, when I was sitting in the chilly room of my World History class. I always complained about how cold that room was, but on March 12th of 2020, if it were even possible, the room felt even colder.
The gloominess of the outside seemed to make its way through the school vents and into our classroom. It was near silent in there-- apart from the blasts of the cold AC and the low murmurs about the news of COVID-19.
Headlines read "Thousands infected with COVID-19 in the United States, millions infected around the world", yet we sat there, wondering why we're still in class, unmasked.
It wasn't until later on when it was announced that we'd have "Digital Learning Days" for the next week. That week turned into months, and those months turned into a year due to the severity of, what soon ended up being, a pandemic.
A year passed by as I watched smiles disappear from the masks, connections and conversations fade from the distance, and worst of all, saw the ones I love fall sick. I cursed the C.D.C for releasing information so late. I believe we could have been better prepared.
Another variant called Delta has taken the lives of thousands around the world, and I am to report back to school in a few days; in another cold history class, awaiting another announcement when it's already too late.
I am by no means a fashionista—I’ll choose comfort over a trend any day. However, I cannot deny that the clothes we choose to wear can say a lot about us. Given the fashion freedom in America, it’s easy to move quickly with the trends and get caught up in the changing world of an item. I know I did with denim. I followed the trend from skinny to ripped to mom jeans. But when I started my first office job, I shed my ripped jeans and donned a cleanly pressed black pair of pants. So, while I was reading “Tracing Freedom to a Pair of Jeans” by Hahna Yoon, I was fascinated to learn about North Korean defectors transitioning to a South Korean wardrobe.
For North Koreans, paying money for ripped jeans made no sense; after all, they had only seen homeless people wear torn clothes. But as they assimilated a new culture, they adopted the vibrant styles that were depicted by the South Korean media as an accurate representation of South Korean fashion. After attempting to copy these styles, the North Koreans learned that trends are not meant to be obeyed fully. So defectors with social media presence are now aiding that transition for others. Without that guidance and solidarity, the freedom to choose was almost too overwhelming.
With freedom comes options. For most Americans, we tend to take these options for granted. The only reason I can choose to wear jeans to school one day and a sari to a wedding the next day is that we have freedom—something else that we may be taking for granted.
I hated the basement of my old house. The slightly claustrophobic feel of the low ceilings, cluttered boxes of legos, crusty ping pong table, and weirdly bumpy tiled floor, all contributed to the creepy vibes I got from that particular floor of the house. I hated it.
In “Can Fake Images Show Us Something Real?,” Meg Miller created a multimedia essay showcasing the synthetic images that Aarati Akkapeddi made of their mother through a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). These blurry elephant-man replicas of Akkapeddi’s mother weren’t meant to be accurate representations of their mother in real life, but to resemble how a loved one would picture her in their mind: “both vague and familiar.”
As Akkapeddi and their mother saw resemblances in the images, they also found parts that were completely off. Miller explains, “For Akkapeddi, this malleability is a reminder that memories are things of our own making, not so far off from a rearrangement of pixels.” Sometimes memories can change, whether it’s with age or with renewed perspectives- just as you can edit a photo to your desire.
Now that I moved to a new house, I can see how my childish fears blew my old basement’s features out of proportion. The floor, the toys I had when I was younger, and the ping pong table didn’t feel as creepy as I thought. I might not have loved that basement when I was younger, and now I may even miss the old rumpus room.
Friday, two o’clock in the afternoon, I’m sitting on my bed, thinking about what I did in the morning. I’ve already finished my trumpet practice, enrichment classes, and math homework. I’ll have some free time to draw before dinner, but I still have a robotics meeting after that, and I need to get up early for a swim meet the next day. It feels like I just can’t let myself relax. Ugh. I’ll just play some video games and start on my writing homework; I don’t have enough free time anyway.
In “How I Let Go of My Time-Management Anxiety,” Yohanca Delgado confesses that she suffers from the same “time blindness” that I do. She often feels that she’s “not trying hard enough”, and that time is just “slipping through her fingers” and getting away. I feel that if I can just follow my schedule down to the minute, then I can squeeze out those precious seconds of time and do the things that I enjoy, but that’s often not the case.
For Delgado, “holding time in a much larger perspective eases the day-to-day anxieties of living”. She does this by thinking of geological time, the time of the cosmos, and ‘imagining the ever-so-gradual movement of the tectonic plates”.
To me, it’s an overwhelming sense of responsibility that’s holding me back from the things I enjoy. And although I don’t feel that geological time offers much comfort for me, I have found success with other methods like simply keeping a checklist of things to do. That being said, I’m done with this essay; it’s time to go draw.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/well/eat/chronic-migraine-omega-3.html
My friends and I were all having a good time driving home from a football game, until one of my friends had a migraine. I knew she had terrible migraines, however I did not know they were this bad. The music was turned down and she was in screaming pain. She had to put her sweatshirt over her face, because the light was just too much. I was driving, and I was trying so hard to safely get her to the hospital; but the stress was growing and started to turn into a panic. The level of pain she was feeling went from zero to one hundred so quickly.
In the article Why Migraine Sufferers May Want to Eat More Fish Tanya Kamka suffered migraine headaches on a weekly basis. The headache she described in the article was exactly how friends were that night. She also mentioned how after every headache she would be wiped out for days, as well as my friend. To go through something that traumatic on a weekly basis is not good for anyone, and no one should have to go through that. That's why when I read this article it immediately got my attention, about how a simple diet change could help my friend. Intake of more Omegas-3’s fats and cutting Omega-6’s fat, is an easy diet change. Especially if someone is having that bad of a migraine they will definitely do whatever it takes to make that go away. This study was so important because now doctors can finally give patients an easy change that will most likely work.
“‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years”
Who would have thought a cartoon show would have such an enormous impact on the world. Reading this article brought back memories of reading the ‘Arthur’ books and watching the show with my friends. So many lessons were learned from that show and so many will continue to be learned by those who will keep watching the show.
The show was able to teach children about matters not just in the classroom, but also about matters concerning bullying, death, fear, and so much more. It taught kids that their feelings are valid and that they are normal; that everyone has different feelings and shows them differently.
‘Arthur’ will continue to live on through memes on social media and through the memories that were created by the viewers of the show and the readers of the books.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/31/opinion/smartphone-iphone-social-media-isolation.html
When I was younger, I didn’t have a phone, and didn’t regret it. I may have been jealous of my friends texting or playing games, but it didn’t bother me that much—I simply went outside and found another way to occupy my time.
If you had told me back then that I would eventually grow so attached to my phone that I could never imagine leaving the house without it, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I would have been wrong.
There hasn’t been a single day this past year that I haven’t used my phone. Cut-off from seeing friends in person, I felt my social life starting to deflate—so I reached for my phone. Surrounded by news of death and disease, I started to feel panicked—my phone provided welcome distraction. Forced to continue school online, I did my homework online daily—of course, I used my phone for that too. But even though my phone can do everything, it can’t make me feel less lonely, less scared, less isolated. For now, there’s only one solution—I go outside, down to my local park, where I stroll among the spring daisies, the silent camphor trees, the ephemeral sunset.
As the article points out, the more time we spend on our phones, the harder it is to imagine any alternative. But the article inspired me to break the cycle and put my phone down. I know I’ll have to pick it up again soon, but for now, I’ll keep it on “do not disturb” and call it a day.
“A Smarter Way to Make Decisions About Your Kids”
Parenting: deemed the hardest and most rewarding job in the world by countless parents. So it's no surprise that everyone wants to know how to do it right. But this article is not how.
Author and professor of economics, Dr. Emily Oster, advises parents to utilize structured business tactics to make decisions for their family as a whole. One strategy: setting priorities for the family by realizing the components of your ideal day. In Oster's case, one of her family's top priorities is 6 p.m. family dinner. In her words: “I could give several reasons for this, but the main reason is simply that for both my husband and me, it’s part of an ideal day.” So when her daughter, a seasoned runner, has an opportunity to join a running club that conflicts with family dinner twice a week, the idea is not entertained.
I’m not a parent, but I've been around enough of them to know that parenting involves it's fair share of sacrifice and flexibility. Maybe the daughter's ideal day could consist of this running club, and maybe seeing her daughter enjoying this activity will become part of Oster's ideal day. But I know for sure that reading about suffocating, data-centered parenting was not part of mine.
Scientists Finish the human genome at last
We have scaled the tallest mountain on the planet. We have dived to the deepest place in the oceans. We even have flown to the moon. But until recently, we have known next to nothing about the code that runs the human body.
100 years ago, scientists only knew that genes were organized in 23 chromosomes, but nothing beyond this.
As life science progressed, then we were able to trace
little bits of DNA.A big breakthrough took place in 2000 when scientists managed to draft human DNA. Despite a huge fanfare around this, however, we could mapped less than 20% of the entire human genome at that time.
The bold endeavor carried on. From very tiny fragments, into larger and larger pieces, and then finally into the full picture of the human genome. But in this fathomless sea of genetic
information, hundreds of millions of DNA segments are either redundant or meaningless gibberish. Scientists are like treasure hunters in patient search of the ultimate secret code of human life. With the complete genome deciphered, we have discovered over 100 new genes many of which provided the clues to treating genetic diseases.
It is hard to believe, with the miracles of lunar travel and deep-sea adventure, we still don’t have
the full knowledge of what we are. Now, I feel that with all the research that has been undertaken for decades , eventually we the holy grail—the complete human genome – in our hands.
“He Tried to Walk on Water From Florida to New York. It Didn’t Go So Well.”
This article immediately grabbed my attention by the title. Without any context at all, the title is hilarious by how stupid it sounded. When reading the article for the first time; I immediately thought of the show, Shark Tank. As a kid and even now I was always thinking about some new invention that would change the market, and the invention that this man created is similar to the ones I thought of in one way: they are both useless. In this day and age, you can find stupid stuff everywhere, but this takes the cake. This so-called, “Hydro Pod”, that this man “Reza Baluchi” made was already a failure from the time he started thinking of it since there aren’t that many uses to it. The worst part about all this is that he spent decades and thousands of money, so much that he doesn’t even have a car anymore! Mr. Baluchi has a dream of modernizing this machine, but the lengths he has taken were way too extreme. Mr. Baluchi even got in trouble with the law, but the sad part is that he doesn’t even care. I think this article tells a valuable lesson of how we need to realize when our dreams become delusions and put a stop to it.
“Why My Family Is Watching ‘Gilmore Girls’” By Sarah Wildman
Stars Hollow is my liberation. The place that unshackles me from the darkest moments of life; granting me full fly on the wall access to admire the spectacle that is “Gilmore Girls”.
It amazes me that the intro song I have heard billions of times still provides comfort on my worst days. What makes the fast-paced monologues imprinted on my brain still intriguing? The predictability, the familiarity, it's comforting. Knowing exactly what will happen next makes me feel a sense of control, a sense of security.
Everyone has a coping mechanism, that’s what makes humans so resilient. Sarah Wildman, the author of “Why My Family Is Watching ‘Gilmore Girls’” finds relief in the simplicity of the small-town life the Gilmore girls' live. This allows her to take a break from the difficult reality she is living with her daughter in cancer treatments. She notes, “Now that I’m older than Lorelai [the main character], I find her problems soothing in their relative lack of complexity and Rory’s fealty to her mother enviable.”
I empathize with the sense of ease that “Gilmore Girls” brings her. Observing life where the largest issues include wacky small town locals and lack of caffeine, reminds us of a time when things were simpler, no pandemics and threatening new variants, no exposure to loved ones with cancer. As Wildman puts it, “It’s always sunny in Stars Hollow, unless it snows, and then it’s magical.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/sports/olympics/simone-biles-mental-health.html
The bravery and courage Simone Biles demonstrated at the Olympics was something that no athlete should ever be criticized for. It should be normalized to speak up when you need help. Biles had faced many hardships to get where she was as the greatest gymnast of all time and it is only fair for her to have a chance to discuss them. Although she does not have to share everything with the public, she should not be put down for what she has said. Considering your mental health is one thing, but pulling out of the Olympics on the biggest stage in the world, is on a different level. She already has enormous amounts of pressure on her from all her teammates and coaches, the country and even the entire world. Everyone wanted to watch Simone Biles compete for gold, but they can’t be disappointed when she puts herself first. I admire Simone Biles and how she is bringing more light to the mental health aspect in sports. Athletes need to be physically fit and mentally fit at the same time. There can be a lot of hardships in sports and they need to learn how to overcome them within themselves. Sometimes it’s better to let out all your feelings and emotions because that’s what helps you become a better athlete and person.
“If You Paid Your Debt to Society, You Should Be Allowed to Work”
Every extended family has a black sheep and mine is no different. In my case, that would be my favorite aunt. Maybe my partiality is materialistic but she would shower me with gifts and bought me my first Jordans for basketball camp in 6th grade. Unfortunately, she is also a dedicated scam artist who has been to prison about 4 or 5 times for fraud. I miss her when she is away but my mom won’t let me make visits. When I asked her why she can’t just go clean, she dejectedly said that she can’t get hired due to her criminal record and background checks. Thus, she gives up after being rejected a couple of times and goes back to her old ways.
Just like criminal justice reform is a critical issue, the recidivism rate for released convicts needs just as much attention. It is a travesty that “Nearly half of formerly incarcerated people are unemployed one year after leaving prison.” How can they become a contributing member of society if they can’t get hired?
Like the article states, “to create real systemic change, we need better public policy … [to] help clear or seal eligible criminal records, open access to jobs and increase earnings by about 20 percent.” Gandhi once said that “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members" and the people who get released into society with a couple bucks in their pocket and a manila envelope with all of their belongings need help.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/opinion/covid-vaccine-young-adults.html?smid=url-share
This article raises some important points around why some young people and persons in other age groups are not getting vaccinated. During the end of this last school year when the vaccine was becoming available for young adults I found that many of my peers were worried about the side affects of the vaccine. I understand why some people might be hesitant to get it. However I got my vaccine pretty early for the young adult age group and I experienced no side affects, and the people who were hesitant about the vaccine saw that I was fine. So I kept asking myself what other reasons would people have for not getting the vaccine? Other than medical conditions that prevent a person from getting one, I couldn’t think of any. I thought the vaccine was free so money shouldn't be an issue, but after reading this article I understand on some level why people were and still are hesitant. That two-four week period where someone might feel sick after getting vaccinated could cause someone to be out of work with no pay, and after a long year with low employment rates that could be detrimental to people who need that month of money to stay afloat. I do still think everyone should get vaccinated as soon as possible but I understand why some people might not be able to or are wary about getting it.
A Brief History of Summer Reading
My heart is full of sun-drenched summer days with salt air in my lungs and the soft crash of waves dancing through my ears, the book in my hands transporting me to another world while the sand between my toes and the gentle tickle of the sea breeze in my hair ground me in what's real.
Given that myself and many others consider reading to be as essential to the sun-tinted summer months as beach days and ice-cold lemonade, I was surprised to learn that this cherished summer tradition originally emerged as a marketing tactic engineered by publishers in the mid-1800s to boost the sales of novels in the summertime. With it came the creation of a new genre, the “summer novel,” in the 1860s, which was targeted towards vacationing women.
Just as is the case in our publishing industry today, these actions completely transformed the literary world both for better and for worse. The new popularity of romantic summer novels gave female authors one of their first opportunities to gain literary success, but like female-dominated book genres are now, these novels were viewed as “light reading” inferior to works written by and for men—a consequence of society’s harmful social views that still infuse countless industries, publishing included, today. I hope that we will one day be able to overcome these and respect all works of literature equally, knowing that the demographics books are enjoyed by does not affect the meaning they hold in people’s hearts.
"Digging Into a Dispute Over a Company Entrusted With Art"
A life as an artist is certainly a difficult one, as the unfortunate reality is that many are not appreciated until after their death. This being the case, many will jump on a chance to capitalize on artists' skills to make some revenue and financial stability in their otherwise mostly unprotected lives. As a fan of many forms of art myself, I feel that I am able to recognize this unfortunate situation for what it is, and I do my best to show deserving artists the respect and recognition they deserve.
Unfortunately for artists, many predatory organizations seek to prey on both their financial instability and desire for success, as was apparently the case with Artist Pension Trust. This organization would protect artists' work by holding and eventually selling it, providing the original maker of the piece with a cut while also sharing it with some of the other artists in the organization.
Disappointingly, the company seemed to be doing their own business with the artwork while keeping all of the artists out of the deal. They were profiting from the intellectual property of others while not distributing earnings equally. This clearly angered some artists, as one, "Shaun Leonardo, had recently sued in New York, demanding the return of his artwork and accusing the trust of breach of contract". The outcome of this case has not materialized, but we can only hope these mistreated artists will receive some sort of justice.
"‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years"
“Another half a minute?!” I would wheeze between sobbing breaths, an upbeat theme song echoing behind my pleas in a jarring, juxtaposing rhythm. Each morning I’d turn on PBS kids to watch episode after episode of 'Arthur' before school. In a time when being ushered into the elementary school hallway felt like the scariest, most nerve wracking endeavor in the world, I found comfort with my anthropomorphized animal friends.
Attending school was never easy for me. Being forced to let go of my mom’s hand and navigate my way through meeting new people, crumbling friendships, and sibling drama was taxing on my fragile mind.
Arthur and his friends saved me. As I watched the animated creatures, I found pieces of myself and my life scattered throughout the show. Through his friendly, charismatic persona, Arthur taught me not only the values of respect and admiration, but also how to communicate with others. Buster’s comedic elegance showed me how to bring humor to tough situations, and it was D.W’s persistence that first introduced me to feminism.
With each episode I watched, the world became a little less scary, and the future became a little brighter. I, along with the thousands of other kids across the globe, thank Arthur for his wisdom and are sad to see the characters we grew up with retire. As Ms. Grullón Paz alluded to in her article, Arthur truly did help us learn to work and play and get along with each other.
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“Can Apple’s AirTags Find Lost Pets?”
I was taken aback the first time I observed someone inflicted with severe Alzheimer's. I have known my neighbor since I was in elementary school. She used to be very active but I saw less and less of her in the last few years. Then one day I stepped into the elevator and found her scratching at the elevator wall opposite the door. I realized that she forgot how an elevator works. She assumed that since one side of the box she entered had opened, the other side would open too. I hesitated on what to do and then when I finally spoke out to her, she started weeping because she couldn't find a way out of the elevator. After returning her to her home upstairs, the family revealed to me that she had been suffering from Alzheimer's and had slipped out without anyone noticing.
While the article is about the possibility of Apple’s AirTag tracking device being used to find lost pets, I immediately thought of it being used for lost people as well. As “the panic that sets in when a pet goes missing is something no dog or cat owner wants to experience,” the panic that ensues when a loved one is missing is something nobody wants to experience. Even though the article states that the technology “is meant for locating items, not people or pets” it does look promising that Apple “does have a patent [that] cites removable tags attached to a pet’s collar or a kid’s T-shirt.” Hopefully the technology that keeps our loved ones safe will come to fruition.
"8-Year-Olds in Despair: The Mental Health Crisis Is Getting Younger"
Something I've come to realize more and more as I've grown is just how important mental health is. Covid has played a big part in that.
These feelings are rough to get through without the proper support system, and I'm grateful to have my family to help provide that. Due to the nature of the pandemic, it's unfortunately not a surprise that these feelings only got worse throughout our younger generations, as they find themselves separated from friends and family. Even now, with less restrictions, anxiety is still abundant, seeing as the delta variant has been spreading more and more.
Everything gets overwhelming quickly, and it can easily kill the joy that is found in life. The fact that children are experiencing these kinds of things at younger and younger ages is just tragic, as it rips away the fun that defines childhood so early. The analogy of the pandemic throwing "gasoline on embers that were already glowing" is terrifyingly accurate.
Even before and after the pandemic, the crisis existed and will continue to exist, often assisted by schools, living conditions, climate change, traumatic experiences, and more. It all can be so overwhelming. I won't lie, I don't know the answer. All I do know is that even if you think you may be experiencing these effects, please try and reach out to somewhere or someone you can trust. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.
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At swim practice recently, we did a drill where you kick underwater for an entire length of the pool without breathing. My lungs felt like they were going to burst by the third length, and my frustration grew with each new breath I took. After finishing, I sat in the gutter and cried silently. Then, I emptied my tear-filled goggles and kept swimming. For the rest of practice, I felt drained.
In “Simone Biles and the Power of ‘No,’” Kurt Streeter describes gymnast Simone Biles’ controversial decision to withdraw from the Olympics after several uncharacteristic stumbles in her routines. Biles had already been stressed out prior to the games. “I truly do feel that I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times,” she wrote on Facebook. All eyes were on her to lead the USA’s gymnastics team to victory.
As Streeter writes, Biles’ decision was “more powerfully important than any move she could have pulled off in competition.” It’s a reminder of the intense pressure that professional athletes constantly face. The mental health issues they suffer from are real and very severe. By stopping when she knew she could not go any further, Biles broke the sports community’s unspoken stigma around valuing mental health over physical performance.
From now on, I want to follow in Simone Biles’ lead. I’m learning to recognize when I need to push harder in practice, and when I need to relax and clear my mind afterward. I’m finally giving myself the chance to take a much-needed breath.
“Suddenly It’s Bare Season”
In middle school, I was terrified of getting dress-coded. I treated collarbones and shoulders like contraband, making sure that my strappy tops were at least two fingertips in width, that my skirts skimmed my knees, and that my denim was mildly ripped instead of distressed. But then the pandemic slammed into my life, erasing the rules in one clean sweep: Suddenly, when I wasn’t decked out in pajamas during Zoom class, I had newfound freedom to wear the long-forgotten outfits I’d banished to the back of my closet. On weekends, I threw on the camisoles and shorts that I usually saved for summer trips. Even a walk to the mailbox warranted a sundress.
After reading “Suddenly It’s Bare Season,” I’ve realized that my clothing choices reflect the same reason as to why New Yorkers in bralettes, crocheted bikinis, and low-slung jeans reign on Fifth Avenue: We’re all desperate for a break. As cultural studies professor Reina Lewis explains, “this is people having to have their vacation at home.” Casual get-ups, once reserved for pool days or Fourth of July barbecues, are inevitably popping onto plazas and city streets because we’re going on vacation wherever we can.
With COVID-19 hot on our trails, flying to swanky resorts and boarding cruise ships are no longer options. The latest holiday destination is right in our backyards, and it’s only fitting to dress for the occasion. I know that my bandeau will be making its debut.
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“‘Arthur’ is ending after 25 years”
Although I am 16 years old now, I am still enjoying a show from when I was 5 years old. I did not grow out of watching my childhood show “Arthur”. I would relate most to the character named “Francine”. She was the sporty younger sister who never took no for an answer. However, each member in her friend group had their own unique personalities and quirks that heavily contributed to the whole storyline. They could deal with whatever life threw at them as a team. It was satisfying to see a diverse group of individuals come together and form an extraordinary bond.
I am shocked that “Arthur” will be ending. I just assumed new episodes would always continue to air as the series has been popular “among both children and their parents”. The show was so successful because it could capture the audience’s needs. “Arthur” and his pals taught us about the world. How friendships are made, broken, and healed. Life lessons present in reality such as cancer, bullying, and peer pressure. And how our own actions can cause consequences and lies. I can confidently say this show has raised and shaped some of us to become who we’re today—including me.
I am still devastated about the cancelation of one of the longest-running kid shows in history, but I’ll never forget "Arthur” the aardvark. I have the pleasure of knowing my favorite show impacted and touched the lives of many. But despite winning multiple awards, it is the most underrated series I’ve seen.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
Simone Biles is an incredible athlete with an amazing talent. She has been noted to be one of the greatest female gymnasts in history. However, she had been struggling with her mental health behind closed doors. This led to her pulling herself out of the Olympics. It must have taken great courage for her to pull herself out of the Olympics to take care of her mental health. She knew about the backlash she would receive from the whole world claiming her to be "selfish." On several social media platforms, Simone had been bashed by fans claiming that she had disappointed them. Simone also received much support and assurance from fans for her to get better.
This took great courage from Simone because she knew that many were depending on her, but she knew that she wasn't in the right state of mind. May Simone remind us that even professional athletes can be affected by mental illness.
For some people, mental health is not considered a real illness because it is not tangible. Mental health is in fact a real illness that can affect people's everyday lives. Many people struggle with it and there needs to be more light shown on it. If more people understand how serious mental illness is, they can help and provide support.
It took me a few days after the end of eighth grade to fully unwind. I was going to use this summer as an opportunity to de-stress. On June 16th, exactly one week after summer break started, I spent the entire day with one goal: relax.
I started browsing through TikTok, chatting on Discord, and immersing myself in social media. I forgot about my real hobbies: piano, cello, art, etc.
Shalini Shankar's "A Packed Schedule Doesn't Really Enrich Your Child" argues that cramming your kid's schedule with activities and allowing them to use screens for hours (even for relaxation) causes a lot of stress. Instead, she encourages parents to teach their children about unstructured time for de-stressing. Shankar motivates kids to manage their stress by discovering passions and hobbies, which are “unlikely to completely replace screens, but ... could introduce children and teenagers to new pleasures.”
That night, I took some time to reflect. The day meant for working on mental health quickly spiraled into spending endless time on electronics. Suddenly, I noticed how drained I felt. I was so addicted I didn’t even eat lunch. These realizations weren’t new: there have been many days where I tried to loosen up but wasted hours on devices instead.
Shankar reminded me of the importance of taking time off screens to alleviate my stress fruitfully. Thanks to her, I’ll pursue my hobbies the next time I relax. With this new advice, hopefully, I won’t ever become a mindless tech zombie again.
The thing that caught my attention the most was Alexis Sablone a 34 year old skater went in and was shocked. To her surprise two 13 year old girls, half her age went into the Olympics competing to win in that competition . In her words, " Female skateboarders have reached critical mass. There's enough now that there will be prodigies. And they'er here." She is saying that those kid could be the next gold medalist in future Olympics, and the next champions of the world.
I stepped off the 7 local train. Every other Saturday, we went to NYC to buy leeks, fermented radishes, and sachima in Flushing. We smelled roasted duck and fried dough from underground food courts as we walked to the SkyFoods supermarket. We ate steamed buns for lunch. Plus, I got a mango slushie from my favorite tea shop.
But the pandemic took this away from me and my family. And even with widespread vaccination, many New Yorkers remain wary.
In “New York City Is Reopening. But Some Aren’t Celebrating Yet, ” Mihir Zaveri discusses the joys and perils of reopening the city. Now, ice cream vendors drag “heavy coolers through the sand at Coney Island”, food trucks line the streets, and families and their dogs swarm the sidewalks.
However, there are inescapable reminders of the pandemic. In a city where packed subways are inevitable, defending against the diminished, but not yet defeated, virus is complicated. As one New Yorker puts it, “When you think you’re all right, it pulls you back in.”
When I went to Flushing last month, restaurants removed tables for people inside to spread out. In the optometrist’s office, each family was clustered together. Even my favorite steamed bun joint was sparsely filled.
But as long as we exercise a modicum of caution, we can take the time to enjoy the things we have missed the most. I’m thinking about trying grass jelly and tapioca pearls together next time. The idea of returning to packed boba tea shops puts a smile on my face.
“Inside a Turkish Camel-Wrestling Festival”
I never thought the phrase "dressed up as brides" and camels would ever fit together, but here it does. Camels adorned with fabrics strut into the arena, while an excited audience cheers. As I continue reading the article, I’m immersed in the colorful world of the camel wrestling festival. Too bad these are just pictures though, it's hard to picture the sounds and smells of the event behind a computer screen.
Inspired by camels in the wild, staged matches have become a custom for over 100 years. But as author Bradley Secker writes, what was once a deep-rooted tradition shifted to more of a “niche expression.” Instead, socializing and gossiping are as much a part of the festival as the camels battling on the field.
My experience is somewhat similar. Every year when celebrating holidays with my family like Chinese New Year, it’s not the traditions or the stories that I remember the most but rather the memories of hanging out with my family. These traditions, too, have shifted into a social event. Everyone groups around forming a dumpling assembly line, my aunts and uncles gossiping about which cousin got into which school, and me and my friends comparing who made the ugliest dumpling.
So is tradition still the focus anymore? Rather than gathering to celebrate the history of these events, the younger generation including me just came to enjoy the atmosphere, watch some camels fight, or talk to friends while gorging on dumplings.
“Why Doctors Dismiss Dizziness”
Although I have never personally been afflicted with it, I live with someone who has chronic dizziness. My 82 year old grandma seems to be dizzy for a couple of days every week and it gets so debilitating that she dry-heaves a lot and needs to vomit as if she had just gotten off of a roller coaster. While I love her and do worry about her, the constant presence of this invisible ailment has taken a toll on our family and led to universal feelings of weariness and some snarky remarks. Honestly, it stung reading the line about how a person with severe dizziness could have “the combination of the loneliness and feelings of uselessness” as no one around them can really understand what they are going through.
She went to several hospitals where doctors would frequently just say similar versions of "you are old so what can you expect?” Doctor's in general seem to be unable to accept that not everything shows up on a test. As the article states, some doctors prefer to push the person to believe they have psychological problems and “that anxiety or depression were the cause.” I wish they could learn to say "we just don't know." When doctors dump the illness back on the patient by saying it is psychological, they add misery and do harm. When they said this to my grandma, she wisely responded that it would be wonderful if it were psychological because that would be treatable.
“A Brief History of Summer Reading”
This year, I was relieved when the last day of school arrived. I was excited for the end of homework, for the plans I made for the summer, and for the possibility of full time, in person learning. But mostly, I was relieved to have excess time on my hands to browse bookstores and read – to read in my backyard, to read at the beach, to read anything I want to and not have to write an assignment.
Summer reading rose to prominence in the mid 1800s, when the privileges of rich Americans became more accessible to the upper middle class and middle class. Summer travel began to transform, and publishers saw this as an opportunity to promote novels. Previously seen as “an inferior literary subgenre and a dangerous corrupting influence” for women, novels evolved into a middle class, widely available pleasure. With this growth came the development of a new genre, the American summer novel, with recognizable characteristics like summer settings, romantic plots, and satisfying endings.
Most importantly, like the summer reading books we see today, the genre has the ability to enthrall and “entice the reader with the possibility of long sunlit days spent unmoored from everyday restraints and immersed in a literary world”. I am immensely grateful for my love of books, and I hope that others who may dislike reading assignments give it a try.
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
The pandemic has changed many things in our daily lives but none more significant than how we spent our time. Waking up late and not having to get ready for the commute to school and work all the while having everything you need whether it be food or a bed just steps away from your laptop has made us more efficient than ever. However, it has also in other ways left a negative impact on us.
The article involves a survey that illustrates the behavior of various age groups and how they have changed over the course of the pandemic. For the majority of time, the youngest age group is the outlier. For example, the 15-24 year olds had the largest amount of time logged in sleeping, grooming, exercising, texting, phones, video calls, using computers and smartphones, and gaming. The 15-24 year olds also had the lowest amount of time in doing homework and cooking during the pandemic. This representation is very relatable to me and many others as the pandemic has forced us to seal the outside world and make everything electronic. However, with the start of schools opening up again, the pandemic lifestyle will soon be over and the way we spend time at home will go back to normal.
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set"
“At the end of the day, we're human, too, so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”
Simone Biles's words remind me of the time when I ran for a position in the class committee. From previous failure, I realized that in the choice of a student leader, good relations with classmates was valued more than one's capacity to fulfill the duties. Therefore, in the following semester, I tried my best to cater to others to gain popularity: chatting with them after class and hanging out together at weekends.
However, engaging actively in their discussions required me to watch plenty of movies that I wasn't really interested in. Worse still, I had to sacrifice the time spent on fencing, one of my true hobbies. Gradually, I felt as if I was living under a mask and became what my classmates expected me to be. Night after night, I was both afraid of losing my classmates' votes and the urge of being myself. I suffered great mental torment, just like Biles.
Fortunately, the determination to stay true to myself eventually freed me from such a struggle. I realized that however perfect my mask was, the relationship built on hypocrisy would not last long. Hence, like Biles, I chose to live for myself, starting from resuming fencing. By showing my true character, I also built trust in my classmates and gained their lasting respect.
"50-kilometer racewalking is striding off the Olympic stage."
Exercising comes in a multiple of ways. Running, lifting weights, or even playing sports has always contributed to that topic. On top of that when we think of Olympics the first things we think of are Track and Field Events or Basketball or Swimming and Diving Events are the first that comes to mind. What caught my eyes scrolling through this week was the 50-kilometer race walking. Talk about eye opening! This race has always excited me and to hear that it will only return in a similar mixed-gender event in the Paris Games of 2024. What surprised me even more is that it's been in the Olympics since 1932 being introduced in Los Angeles. When hearing about Olympic athletes marathon times, two hours seems like a long time. So hearing that these races are walked in about 31 miles in three hours 32 minutes and 33 seconds, that is crazy. Plus that's the record holder. So racing these 31 miles for that long, if not longer is mind blowing to me. I love hearing about these smaller scale events, because very rarely do Television Stations actually play these events. So reading about these is actually amazing and it's pretty cool to hear about from an outsider's perspective.
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
Time for number crunching! This fascinating read in New York Times utilizes various data and colorful graphs to demonstrate the impact of the COVID pandemic on individuals’ daily routines. Although heavily influenced by COVID-19 restrictions as a multicultural student based in Singapore, I’m not a primary victim and my daily routine was not significantly altered. But, just as this article has highlighted, our daily routine changes reflect social and racial inequalities, which are far more prominent in Singapore, a polarized society in terms of wealth and income.
I was able to better observe the inequalities through Code For All, a service project I founded in my school. When tutoring underprivileged students in Singapore, I have seen many families struggling to balance the increased child-care burden and increased workload because they are essential workers. They have no choice but to send their children to organizations during the day. (add a specific example here)
The Times article has prompted me to do a similar survey in Singapore so as to find out how varied the COVID-19 impacts are for Singapore’s different social groups.
"France Gave Teenagers $350 for Culture. They’re Buying Comic Books."
I like comic books. I also like free money. So if the government one day handed me $350 and told me to spend it on culture I can tell you now where a large chunk of that money would go. However this article isn't really talking about comic books, it's mostly talking about manga. While the two share similarities, manga is Japanese while comic books are mostly American.
What this article does however is help highlight the differences between the people of the government and the modern-day teenager. Almost every person I know if given $350 would spend it on things they know, things they enjoy. few would go out of their way to try new things and even fewer spend the money on things like opera or other highbrow arts. There is a large cognitive dissonance between those who control our country and those who live in it. This dissonance is heavily prevalent when it comes to the youth.
The average teenager has no interest in opera or fancy museums, however, that doesn't mean that the media they are consuming is any less beneficial to French culture. Without the option to buy off of big sites like amazon much of the money is going into the hand of smaller locally-owned French businesses. While perhaps this program has not succeeded in the way it was originally planned, it has succeeded in its own way. bengal11KaitlynA
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
Summer 2021 introduced me to the mainstream work force. This summer, coming out of the pandemic, I decided to work at a day camp. I got assigned to the 5-6 year olds and figured, "oh this should be fun! even if I have issues with them other people will be able to help". Boy was I wrong!
There have been many effects of the pandemic, however the idea of child growth in young children has just started to make its way into my personal life. The 5 and 6 years old that I currently work with have spent about 1/3 of their life in this pandemic and because of that they have grown up spending their time entertaining themselves with the smallest activities. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, however, it has seemed to pose a huge problem. As I attempt to get my campers involved in the activities, all they seem to want to do is pick grass, break sticks, and count beads! I have asked more experienced child care workers for help, but none of their solutions seem to work.
Today, I spent some time thinking about the issues that i've been facing with them and came upon a realization. The past 4 weeks we have been attempting to have them engage in traditional group activities that children in past years have enjoyed. However, these kids aren't exactly...... "normal". Their child growth has been interrupted and it is very possible that this pandemic could change the course of their lives along with others lives.
As a ballet dancer, I know the hours of dedication and hard work ballet dancers go through just for the few minutes of adrenaline on-stage. But what happens when you might not be able to perform any more? What if you can no longer have ballet performances in theaters, with bright lights and red velvety soft seats? How do the thousands of dancers in ballet companies cope with the hit of COVID-19? These questions ran through my head after I heard the theatres were not opening anytime soon. I had hoped to watch live ballet performances and see the energetic and graceful dancers. However, as I started to get discouraged, I came upon this article. American Ballet Theatre was performing outdoors, on a stage that unfolds from a truck! I was astonished at the creativity of this invention and was thankful that ballet companies found a way to perform during these difficult times. I was surprised at the number of fans that enjoy watching ballet and the eagerness of dancers willing to live in cramped tour buses to perform. After reading, I learned that there is always a solution to the roadblocks along our journey; we have to be ambitious enough to find it. Teuscher said, to reach audiences that Ballet Theater might not normally reach: “We are America’s company, so bringing ballet to America feels important.” The pandemic can take away theaters, but hard-working dancers will always find a way to perform for the audience.
"Scores Die in India as Monsoon Rains Swamp Towns and Send Boulders Tumbling"
The news is always filled with so many headlines covering tragic events that have happened around the world. In the past few years, it seems as though these headlines have been dominated by natural disasters and poor climate, and that is exactly what this article is about. Due to our overuse of fossil fuels, large amounts of pollutants have caused an unnaturally quick change in our climate. It is because of this pollution that we now experience more intense storms, more unpredictable weather, and even rising sea levels. As the article states, India has been hit by several monsoons and heavy rains causing mudslides in which immense boulders tumble down hills taking out people, cars, and even bridges. Nine people in New Delhi were killed in a situation just like this as the boulders trampled the people and their cars. These monsoons have devastated India over the past few months killing at least 164 people and destroying their agrarian economy as too much water has wiped away nutrient-rich topsoil. India has not only dealt with monsoons but also cyclones and heat waves that have overwhelmed India's almost 400 million living in poverty.
I am a strong believer in alternative energy, being my dad works in solar, as rapid climate change is beginning to alter our lives, as we can see in India. It is important that we protect the environment and reverse the effects of pollution to prolong our future.
“How to Take a Break”
My eyes snapped open, glancing at the clock only to see “Saturday 31st, 1:00 PM” on the screen. I got out of bed awkwardly, then began to yawn as if 10 hours of sleep were not enough. I wandered into the bathroom, sensing a gloom of guilt looming in my head, the kind that you feel when you realize you have wasted half of your day doing nothing.
In Rob Walker’s “How to Take a Break,” he points out that most of us are not taking enough breaks. We value “visible busyness” on top of everything else, hence we are forcing ourselves to always be productive, underestimating the importance of taking some time off at the end of the day.
Walker says that it is “necessary” to “give yourself that permission to do nothing when there’s just so much to do.” He encourages us to develop not only a work ethic but also a “rest ethic,” such as journaling, meditating, taking a nap, and walking around the neighborhood. Having a wholesome recovery time improves our decision-making and overall performance in the long run.
I hopped out of the shower, feeling fresher than ever. The cloud of guiltiness has vanished. Walker reminded me to acknowledge my past effort and not be too hard on myself. In order to do quality work, I need quality downtime.
“You have been studying hard all week,” I said to myself. “You deserve that rest time!”
A Look at What the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Would Do
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/business/economy/infrastructure-deal-takeaways.html
The article caught my attention because I had heard so much about this extremely controversial infrastructure bill since Biden has been inaugurated into office. Though I agree with most of the proposed ideas and money spending, I think that the way it is being paid for is extremely wrong, seeing as it is being taken from covid relief across the country. Of course this is a result of the bipartisan deal between the Republican and Democratic lawmakers, but even before this deal I opposed the way it was being paid for, because it would raise taxes. I think the government should cut back on military spending and foreign military aid, and focus more on it's citizens, seeing as military spending does nothing but fuel endless foreign wars for "freedom and democracy". I also believe that the bipartisanship is extremely foolish. Of course the bill would never be passed otherwise, but it does not change my opinion that nothing should be cut back on the bill simply to appease those without the average American's needs at heart. But besides all the gripes I have with the bill and the general situation of the Government and Biden administration, I do think that the bill is extremely beneficial to the American people and our way of life, and therfore, is worthwhile.
I have never regarded the common cold or influenza as a serious threat. Preventing and treating these illnesses feels trivially easy, so when my father came down with the flu and had to stay in bed for several days in late spring, I was stunned. My father’s illness was complicated by his extreme pollen allergies, which resulted in him having blood-red eyes, brutal coughs, and a very sore throat.
In “Why Everyone Has the Worst Summer Cold Ever,” Tara Parker-Pope examines recent cases of the common cold, and explains how the global pandemic has affected our immune system’s ability to fend off bacteria and viruses. Since everyone has been forced indoors, the immune system “missed the daily workout of being exposed to a multitude of microbes,” and, as a result, needs time before it can fight off intruders again.
My father was forced to work from home because of the pandemic, no longer going outside to take the train or to stop by a restaurant for lunch. Because of this, the severity of his allergies and influenza increased drastically. My father’s severe illness showed me just how important it was to spend some time outside, not just to avoid getting sick, but also to have fun and enjoy myself.
Like my father, I almost completely stopped going outside because of the pandemic, opting to play video games instead of frisbee or soccer. Now, my family and I have made it a priority to spend some time outside everyday, either to do some yard work, or to practice throwing frisbees.
"Why Vaccinated People Are Getting 'Breakthrough' Infections"
Over the past six months, the Delta Variant has become responsible for eighty-three percent of the Covid-19 infections reported in the United States. The seriousness and severity of the situation have failed to impact some of my family's behavior. My sister, for example, went to the Rolling Loud festival in Miami, at which, Seventy-five-thousand people attended. She, like many others, thought of vaccination as a final solution and an end to the restrictions of the pandemic, such as social distancing and mask-wearing. While I was unsurprised when she returned from Miami with a positive Covid-19 test, she was shocked. However, since my family is vaccinated, she has refused to take Covid-19 seriously. It has been a fight to get here to quarantine in her room. I believe her mindset is a danger to herself and others, like my immuno-compromised mother. While more and more people have stopped enforcing Covid-19 restrictions on themselves because they want to believe the pandemic is over. Due to this mindset, Covid-19 continues to be at the center of our daily lives. It is within my judgment that if more people could act responsibly we could return to the status quo.
Somewhere in the uncertainty of 2021, I began to dread waking up.
I let mealtimes slip by me like loose toilet paper, instead slumping on my bed after class or rushing to finish homework I didn’t do the night before. I set reminders for club meetings and college seminars on my phone, knowing that when the time came, I would end up opting to watch the recordings instead. When I failed my math quiz because I spent the class time seeing how high my eraser could bounce, I couldn’t bring myself to feel more than just the compulsory guilt.
I felt disconnected; even in a house of six people, I’d never felt so alone.
Adam Grant’s “There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing” gave voice to my lack of energy. He describes ‘languishing’ as a feeling of emptiness and stagnation, as if you were “looking at your life through a foggy windshield”. As “the dominant emotion of 2021”, it’s the middle ground between flourishing and depression. Putting those slippery feelings of discouragement into the concrete box of ‘languishing’ helps people recognize and take steps to prevent it. Grant made me realize a lot of other people were dealing with the same feelings as I was.
Over the summer, as I grew busier with work, I slapped a quick Band-Aid over my languishing and focused on my projects. Reading this article made me lift that Band-Aid and realize that somewhere between repainting my room and researching metal alloys, my bruise had already healed.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/26/technology/kids-screen-time.html
“10 minutes. No more.”
Growing up, my parents were very strict about screen time. They viewed technology as a destroyer of education, an obstacle between relationships, and an issue to society. My parents told me countless stories about family members with addictions to video games -- one even skipped an entire semester of school for it. My parents loathed technology, emphasizing how their childhood was perfectly fine without it.
Then the pandemic hit. Two years of the entire family working from home made my parents realize the gateway technology could be. Without it, my parents wouldn’t have had paychecks and my education would have been “destroyed” -- ironic. Even now, I continue to take out-of-school online classes and my parents work online full-time. Technology, when used right, can be helpful.
Looking back, I’m also grateful for my parents’ strictness. I was able to recognize when I was getting distracted and decline my friends’ tempting invitations to play games during zoom sessions. I was able to productively switch between work and entertainment without my parents’ supervision. As I return to in-person learning, I can be confident that I utilized the previous year fully and efficiently.
As Ms. Ovide says, “technology can be good for children but also bad. It depends.”
“As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/health/covid-cdc-masks-vaccines-delta-variant.html
As someone who is going back to in-person schooling after a year of being fully remote, it makes me feel slightly better to see that even vaccinated people will have to wear masks, especially with the rise of the Delta Variant. It will also help prevent the disease from spreading faster and from potentially mutating against the vaccine. But along with the slight happiness, I also feel quite anxious because of the mask mandate needing to come back so soon after being removed. I understand why it was removed in the first place, to help encourage those who are unvaccinated to get vaccinated, but most of the unvaccinated people were already not wearing masks and will continue not to even as cases rise. I’m hoping that the Delta Variant, as awful as it is, will help people realize how important it is to wear a mask and get the vaccine, so we can return to normal life as soon as possible.
“The Problem With Idealizing Olympian ‘Supermoms”’
There’s no doubt that moms are the closest thing this world has to superheroes, and Olympic athletes are a close second. In fact, many female Olympic athletes compete after childbirth, sometimes very soon after childbirth, and continue to train and care for their children, taking on the ‘super’ title in 2 forms. Aliphine Tuliamuk, Sally Kipyego, Allyson Felix and Quanera Hayes are all female athletes competing this year that have young children. As Crouse states, “motherhood is something to celebrate in elite sports, but sometimes all that good-will obscures reality.” Crouse claims that empowering motherhood in female athletes hides the fact that the United States puts the livelihoods of women at risk when they have children. In 2019, a sports industry that had celebrated pregnancy in female athletes had cut their pay when they missed races because of pregnancy. Even though this is a huge problem, the country which has allowed these corporations to cut pay and make female athletes suffer for choosing to have a family is the bigger issue at hand. The U.S. is the only wealthy country that doesn't require that employers provide new parents with paid maternity leave. Therefore, action needs to be taken to help these mothers get the pay they deserve in a world that doesn’t recognize maternity as a significant cause for leave. I couldn’t agree more with Crouse when she states, “mothers need support, not just cheers.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/health/covid-cdc-masks-vaccines-delta-variant.html
This article caught my attention because it demonstrates how we are moving backwards as a country. The CDC beginning to require the vaccinated to wear masks is not going to make the unvaccinated want to go get vaccinated. I am very aware that I have different views than many that are apart of the NYT but I am still able to have an opinion and it is not wrong. I feel that if you are vaccinated or you want to wear a mask, then you shouldn't be worried about what other people are doing. There was a quote from President Joe Biden from a news briefing where he stated, “We have a pandemic because of the unvaccinated, and they’re sowing enormous confusion.” This felt like a somewhat personal attack. Yes, I understand that Covid-19 is a very real thing, but it is not the fault of the unvaccinate. We are not the reason this virus is in our country. There are plenty of unvaccinated people that I know who support the President, but just want to give it time. It's not because they don't trust science, it's because they wanted to see what would happen.
I cannot be blamed for not wanting to get vaccinated right away. As a high schooler, I am not reading the news 24/7, but I do educate myself. I see all these things about how the virus was created by scientists, how all this was planned. This vaccine being uneffective in circumstances and now, our basic human rights being taken away as a consequence.
"Covid is becoming a crisis for the unvaccinated"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/opinion/covid-vaccine-delta-variant.html
With case counts rising, hospitals filling up, and the CDC recommending masks to be worn again, Covid-19 could bring more harm to world. Although Covid numbers are rising, the virus is still not an escalating emergency. The main problem is that two separate pandemics are occurring right now, and its between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. If the area you live in is predominantly vaccinated, then it is actually better than it used to be. Much of the panic and fear that people have is from the common cold or stuffy nose they expierence when getting out of bed in the morning. Breakthrough reactions of Covid are still possible, as the vaccinated can still get infected, and in rare cases, even hospitalized. The vaccination brings the question that if someone is infected, but has mild side effects, what is there to worry about the vaccine. The reason that we cannot celebrate the recent downturn of Covid is because the story is not the same for the unvaccinated. As for the unvaccinated, the pandemic has not changed very much. Hospitals have begun to fill up in towns and cities where a low vaccination rate is present. Even some cannot be vaccinated, as others do not respond as well to vaccines, and older people have major risks. If the vaccine is still seen as a hazard, the world may never recover.
"I Shouldn't Have to Choose Between My Judaism and My Queerness"
The main sanctuary of an orthodox Jewish synagogue is divided by gender. Being a sensitive little boy, I was often invited to the women's side to join my mom. I think she knew that the men’s side was an intimidating and overwhelming experience for me. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of big, masculine bodies. Unfortunately, my 5th-grade brain couldn’t articulate that sentiment.
As I grew older, it became inappropriate for me to sit with my mom. But I felt that sitting on the men’s side meant being defined by masculinity. This is my first memory of conflict between my Judaism and my queerness.
For many queer kids from religious homes, discovering their identity often coincides with a feeling of religious resentment that causes them to throw away the possibility of leading a life of religious value. This is what happened to me when I realized I was gay and stopped attending synagogue. I used to feel that my queerness excluded me from all the people on this earth who get to experience religion in its most beautiful and meaningful form. However, what I have come to learn is that I can pray in gendered spaces or I can live without religion entirely. I get to make that choice. What makes you “queer” is not a limitation to what you can get out of the world, it is just another avenue to find your special and unique meaning. I’m still learning that lesson.
A Master Class in How to Wipe Out
I remember the time when I first started fencing. I was nervous and embarrassed for starting this technical sport late and to be in a class with all of these amazing fencers. When we started to fence, all I could remember was me falling down over and over again. The sound of my body slamming onto the floor made me cringe because I was the only one falling over. The basic rule of fencing is to dodge the opponent's blade. That first day, I was mostly on my back, tripping from the strings attached to my suit, and even dropping my blade from fear of getting hurt. But, as time passed, I noticed my fencing was getting progressively better.
Gretchen Reynolds article “A Master Class in How to Wipe Out” indicates how falling is a commonplace for athletes, even if you are young and fit. The article states “Falling, failing, and then getting up and trying again, that’s how you make progress in anything.” This told me that everyone falls when trying something for the first time, even if you have the greatest talent or passion for that sport.
As I look back to the time when I first started fencing, I’m actually really glad I never gave up because of my failures. Falling isn’t a failure, it’s just a painful way of learning.
“Jiayi, there will be a small concert for the seniors next Sunday. I have signed you up,” my mother said, without giving me any chances to refuse.
“All right, which one am I going to play? Ballade Pour Adeline or Wedding Of Love?” “Neither. You are going to play Erhu.”
I was shocked. How weird would it be to play this traditional Chinese instrument in front of the Western people?
In “Asian Composers Reflect on Careers in Western Classical Music” Joshua Barone interviews five composers who talk about being Asians who study Western music in other countries. They all mentioned that they fully respect both Western and Eastern music and have the desire to unite them together and create their own style. Composer Tan Dun impressed me. “Eastern and Western...have for me become a unique recipe in which one plus one equals one. That’s the future: a different way of approaching color, boundaryless, a unity of the soul.” There will never be good or bad music; only the styles of music will be different from various composers.
After I completed my Erhu performance in the small concert, the audience clapped and all seemed to be enjoying themselves. As a person who can play both piano and Erhu which each represent Western and Eastern music. I will never forget either of them. Letting more and more people learn about the beauty of the combination of Western and Eastern music is a significant goal that each of us should contribute to reach.
"Advice for Artists Whose Parents Want Them to Be Engineers"
“You are supposed to be an engineer or programmer" said my mom since my 6th grade. While my mom drives me to extracurriculars and competitions, my father encourages me to develop healthy habits and a correct mindset. Growing up in the typical Asian family, I have been pushed by my parents towards a STEM path, which they thought would lead to more prestigious careers, reliable incomes, and a happy future.
Although my parents plan for me to have a STEM future, I still have my own interests and hobbies. I love playing my cello, not just for competitions and auditions, but because I enjoy making music. And whenever I cook a dish for my family, I feel a joy from serving others. Just because my career lies in engineering doesn’t mean that I have to stop playing cello or cooking.
Concerned about parents’ limited understanding of the quickly changing world, Author Viet Thanh Nguyen argues that students should pursue their own interest when making career choices.
From my experience, Nguyen fails to differentiate hobbies and careers. While my parents have signed me up for STEM classes and competitions, they still fully support me in cello and cooking. As immigrants, my parents have worked hard to prepare me for the real world and to have a profession more prestigious than theirs. To throw away their sacrifice is selfish and ignorant. We should still chase our dreams, but only to the side of our parent’s intentions.
I joined my school's chess club in first grade. After taking group lessons, I started going to tournaments. Chess took me all over the country- to Las Vegas, Nashville, etc. I played mostly with men of all ages, ranging from 5 to 60. Although my mom always traveled with me, it has been a lonely journey.
In “Remember the Homeless Chess Champion?” Nicholas Kristof explains how a 10-year-old boy refugee, Tani, from Africa, went from living in a homeless shelter to becoming the 28th-youngest person ever to become a chess master in the US. While poverty was Tani's barrier, other barriers exist as well, particularly gender disparity in chess.
As I improved my rating, I could not help noticing how the number of girls in each tournament started declining rapidly. In third grade, I was devastated when my only female chess buddy quitted playing. My only option was to watch the boys play video games, which definitely was not as exciting as the shenanigans I did with my friend. It was then that I realized the damage of gender biases. Girls, for instance, are expected to dance or paint instead of playing male-dominant games such as chess.
One bitter moment sticks out to me: when my high school opponent found his table and realized that I, the little girl, was his opponent in a state tournament, he scoffed and called me “a piece of cake” right to my face.
I beat him, and let's just say the look on my opponent's face was priceless when I said “Checkmate!”
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
I remember when the COVID-19 pandemic began, I wasn't overly stressed over anything. I can recall being glad that school was out for about fourteen days, however those fourteen days ended up being much more than that. I invested much more energy sleeping, at long last sleeping the suggested 9/10 hours, and simply doing things that would entertain me, if only for a little while. I never truly realized how much longer we were going to remain in lockdown, however I enjoyed each and every second of it. Despite the fact that I was separated from everyone else, I enjoyed remaining at home instead of going to school. I enjoyed being able to wear pjs to every online class and waking up later. The only thing I really missed was seeing my friends.
As I was reading the article the one thing that really caught my attention were the charts for 15-24 year olds. The graphs showed this age group spending more free time in almost every subject listed, because of school shutdowns and probably half of us not having jobs.
Even though we had a lot more time to do the things we really wanted, I lacked the motivation to do any of it. I can see why things like exercising and cooking went down for this age group, we simply lacked motivation or maybe pure laziness. As for gaming, texting, ect, this went way up for obvious reasons. We can’t see our friends, so we turned to texting and video calling instead. Or just turned to gaming to make some new friends.
"No pain." the doctor reported. He died quietly in his sleep.
My grandpa had been suffering for a long time. He had a stroke on the left side of his body. That's when he lost his strength to strum the strings on his Erhu—a lifelong love. Ironically, the stroke made him deaf and bedridden.
Although my memory is hazy, the emotions never escaped from my mind. Naivety and innocence; the feeling of my grandpa carrying me from the car half-asleep after a long ride; that carefree and weightless happiness, being pushed on the swingset.
I was gutted at the funeral. I was robbed of something I didn't even realize I had. Mourning with my family didn't bring me solace— grief is such a lonely emotion. Almost five birthdays have gone by since that day. I'm not sure if I ever "got over" his death.
Dan Levin's "More Than 1.5 Million Children Have Lost A Caregiver To The Pandemic, A Study Says." explains the plight of loss. For the millions orphaned by the pandemic, I know exactly why their hearts toss and thrash. They were robbed. They were cheated.
For someone living through the death of family, I was lucky. My parents and friends kept me going; I even picked up the Erhu myself. But the journey was anything but easy. As the pandemic raged on, I decided to donate to the Covid Family Support Fund. Levin made me realize millions feel the same pain I felt at the funeral. I hope I made the journey for someone else a bit easier.
Ever since we were little, my best friend and I loved destroying LEGOs. It was a tradition of ours to take apart our space shuttles and houses, create vehicular abominations out of them, smash the vehicles into each other, and laugh as we watched a recording of it on my iPad in slow motion. Maybe it was catharsis, or maybe it’s because we were psychopaths, but no feeling can compare to seeing the colorful pieces spray everywhere, hearing the clatter of destruction, then silence.
In “The Strange Joy of Watching the Police Drop a Picasso”, Sophie Haigney discusses a recent video of a recovered Picasso painting being accidentally dropped to the floor and haphazardly picked up. Despite not being damaged, Haigney describes the video as “watching someone else’s nightmare” with such a valuable piece of art treated in an almost sacrilegious, casual way.
Haigney conveys her explicit frustration with how art is always “at a distance, frequently behind glass, often in sterile galleries that resemble airports”. A form of torment to some, the status of art provokes heists and inspires artists to create impermanent art with fruits and vivid colors destined to fade.
I have created so many new things I am scared of “dropping”: stories, music, my own art. Even so, when my friend comes over, we just have to destroy some LEGOs. In that moment of flying colors, we are able to free ourselves from that glass case. After all, what’s the meaning of creating something if it can’t be destroyed?
"There Is No Good Reason You Should Have to Be a Citizen to Vote"
This article grabbed my attention because growing up I was always confused as to why my immigrant father couldn't vote. My father moved to the US from the UK when he was 27 and got his US citizenship when he was 41. In those 14 years, he was never allowed to vote. This law still confuses me to this day. Why is an 18 year old American born citizen more qualified to vote than a 40 year old man who's been in the country for over a decade? In even more drastic cases, some people moved to America as a very young child and even after decades and decades they still can't vote. At that point, they are just as American as any other citizen of this country, so why can't they help to decide laws and leaders of their country?
America is a country of immigrants and that's what makes it so great. But why aren't we letting a large portion of our country have any say? Some people argue that voting is a privilege that comes with citizenship, so if you want to vote then you should simply become a citizen. But these people fail to recognize how difficult it actually is to become a citizen. It takes years and years and lots of money.
Shouldn't the country care about all its people, not just ones with citizenships? Even if someone isn't a citizen of the US, they still have to comply to all the same laws as US citizens, so they should have the right to voice their opinions on said laws.
“My Mom Doesn’t Want Me to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine. But I Already Did.”
This caught my attention this week because this is a situation that I really could not imagine. To have someone as important as a mother try to stop you from achieving your dreams because they’ve read something on the internet is crazy to me. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for this person, to have to balance their future and their mother’s skepticism. For that mom to try and refuse their child’s future because they think a vaccine will “change [the person’s] DNA,” is crazy to me.
Reading about this really opened my eyes to how skeptics can affect others. While they may think these decisions only affect themselves, they have real impacts on others. People spreading false information are hurting others, whether it be emotionally or mentally. With how easy it is to create and share information now, it is hard to sort between the true and the false.
This person having to choose between their relationship with their mother and going to college because of misinformation is heartbreaking. I hope that people stop believing everything they see on the internet so that situations like this do not come up again.
“How Can You Hate Me When You Don’t Even Know Me?”
Twitter — a tale as old as time. Stating my opinion on a polarizing topic winds me up in an argument that accomplishes nothing except adding more toxicity to the internet. All talk. No listening. Unfortunately, Twitter isn't the only breeding ground for these altercations. People trapped in social media echo chambers believe their opinion is gospel and that they are preachers at a pulpit. This mindset even bleeds into real life — into my school, friends, family — and makes dialogue nearly impossible unless you are the Messiah of patience.
This is why Daryl Davis intrigued me. With the power of dialogue, he single-handedly persuaded KKK cult members to abandon the Klan. He took time to understand — to climb a mountain of vitriol taller than Mount Everest — and listen to White Supremacists. His mindset is what this world needs. I see people in fan groups, politics, debates, and internet forums rip each other to shreds all because they refuse to listen to another opinion. But Davis gives the current generation the solution to this blight: talk and listen to people you disagree with.
We can solve many problems if we take time to listen to different views, if we develop a mindset like Daryl Davis’s. But to achieve that, we must first change ourselves. If we engage in dialogue — climb mountains together — then perhaps, instead of being divided, we can become what we humans were meant to be: united.
“The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time”
Ever since the “two-week” quarantine started, my time was spent much differently than normal. There were some obvious changes at the start like staying at home all the time and playing video games and watching TV more often. But everyone thought that it was only a temporary thing, so it was okay. However, as time progressed, these changes proved to be more permanent than expected, and only got worse.
Much like stated in the article, I spent a lot of time alone. Whether it was laying in bed getting sucked into social media or binge-watching a whole series, both my screen and alone time skyrocketed. With this in mind, it didn’t surprise me that the data in the article showed an hour and a half increase in alone time for teenagers. It also showed an increase in sleeping, and overall screen time, which didn’t come as a surprise either. While all of this data was expected and made sense, the article still served as sort of a wake-up call. I’ve developed a lot of bad habits and in turn, created a generally unhealthy schedule and lifestyle. I only realized this when I thought about what I was doing and have worked to better myself since then. The pandemic changed how I spent my time, and changing it back can be the first step of many to making things normal again.
As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again
As we started to believe this pandemic is coming to an end. This new virus comes and messes things up. We all should start wearing masks and listen to the CDC and all who are the leaders of the pandemic. I see how the mask mandates coming back is causing the issues because they said we can start taking the mask off. With that being said as someone who is immunocompromised and fully vaccinated I understand why those are being put back into place to keep people safe. The new strain is scary because you can still get sick and be vaccinated. The hospitalizations and death have slowly crept up. So if mask can help bring it down and keep those rates down we need to start wearing mask even if we are vaccinated. To keep safe the people who can’t get vaccinated and to keep the virus from mutating again. Then we can finally put this pandemic to an end.

“Wildfires Are Intensifying. Here’s Why, and What Can Be Done.”
A few weeks ago, as I came out of my SAT class, the air looked gray and gloomy. As I got in my friend’s car, talking about the haze, her mom told us it was from the wildfires in the west. When I heard this I thought immediately how horrible this was and wondered what was being destroyed. This article showed how dangerous these wildfires are growing and damaging trees, homes, animals, and people. The risk of breathing in this wildfire smoke alone is serious and can harm healthy people. The article does provide better policies to fix this problem. It talks about how prescribed burns can reduce the severity of these fires. This is a key step, even if it just lessens the effect of the fires. The article says we need to make radical changes in the way we approach these fires. For this article to want to change people's mindsets to focusing on the events causing fires rather than fighting these fires changes a lot. Although this will be challenging, I think it is a beneficial shift in people’s mindsets. If people can control the events and the causes of wildfires, then they might be able to prevent wildfires from happening.
This article inspired me to make sure I am doing whatever I can to take care of my environment. Although I can’t make much of a difference in removing dead trees and fuel, I can do small things like recycling, watering plants, and encouraging adults to take care of our Earth.
“The Chinese Sports Machine’s Single Goal: The Most Golds, at Any Cost”
As a junior fencer with aspirations for the Olympics one day, I have been watching the Tokyo Games but with mixed feelings. The perseverance of many athletes moved me to tears, but I am also disappointed by the single-mindedness at winning a gold medal at all costs. What happened to the Games’ mission to “cultivate human beings, through sport, and contribute to world peace”?
At my club, new recruits have been arriving. Though I was excited to meet them, I began to suspect that many of them were told to come by their parents, as fencing is not a sport one falls in love with easily. My suspicions were confirmed as it turned out that parents saw fencing as a path to get into top colleges. They make their kids participate in an activity they may not enjoy. For me, fencing has always been the love of my life ever since my mother handed me a sabre when I was 8. Even though I fence competitively, winning a medal has never been my top priority. Fencing has taught me the importance of hard work, the value of persistence, and the significance of thinking on your feet. Moreover, I have learnt to be humble because someone out there is always better than you. Watching these new recruits thrust their weapons at me, with their parents urging them on, I feel a sense of doom. I am worried that the love I share in the sport will soon be replaced by another single-mindedness, this time a seat on Yale’s fencing team.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
In the New York Times this week, I, along with many others, was surprised to hear that Simone Biles had decided not to continue in the women's gymnastics team event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. After hearing the news, I was compelled to find out more about what caused this sudden change and how people were reacting to it. When I discovered that Biles's decision was a result of both mental health struggles and struggles within the sport of gymnastics itself, I was incredibly proud of her strength and courage. Although the discussion surrounding mental health has become more commonplace in the twenty-first century, it is. still somewhat of a sore spot among athletes, especially extremely decorated ones such as Biles. While I was pleased and grateful to Biles for being able to not only speak up for those who struggle with mental health, but to show the world her vulnerability, others were not so easily convinced. Many dismissed her difficulties as cowardice and denounced her career, even though the majority of these critics were unfamiliar with gymnastics or the life that comes with being an Olympian. However, despite these rude individuals, Biles was still able to reach many people across the world with her experience, and has altered the way many see olympians and athletes in general.
“Taiwan’s gold medal win over China in badminton raises tension.”
A little boy once asked me if Taiwan was a part of China, to which I answered it depends on who you ask. Both of my parents grew up in mainland China before moving to the U.S. A few years ago, my dad moved to Taiwan for a new job. As an American, I value our country’s democracy and freedom of speech, so when this small island nation came to my attention, I was puzzled about the controversy surrounding its international recognition.
Then, the Tokyo Olympics threw me back into the confusion. During the badminton Gold Medal Match for Men’s doubles, two questions arose in my head: Why does it say Chinese Taipei, and what’s up with the altered flag design on the scoreboard?
While reading the Times article in search of the answers, I was reminded of an old saying: there are two sides to every argument. One side believes that Taiwan is Chinese territory. The other proclaims independence from China. This particular instance made me realize how powerful China’s influence is on a global stage. Indeed, its booming economy is one thing. But the fact that Taiwan is still not a member of the UN, despite the latter pledging to leave no one behind in its Sustainable Development Goals, underscores a growing concern. As China continues to dominate, we are left to wonder if Taiwan will ever achieve independence from China and proudly don their own nation in sporting events. Change is hard, so we’ll just have to see.
Game Over: Chinese Company Deploys Facial Recognition to Limit Youths’ Play:
It is truly the worst feeling in the world when you are interrupted in the middle of an intense gaming round, and locked out for the rest of the day. Apps like “Lock Me Out” - I call it the “worst app” on my phone - restrict their users’ screen time each day. Although it can surely be irritating, locking out users is effective in preventing users from spending “too much” time on screen.
This lockout system isn’t perfect, of course, as many users have already found a way to circumvent the lockout. However, the article “Game Over: Chinese Company Deploys Facial Recognition to Limit Youths’ Play” reveals that China is actively trying to limit how much one can play in a day, with no flaws in the system: they will require people to log on with real names, identification numbers, and even use facial recognition. These new features will enable the government to fully monitor the users’ data, giving them no chance to “break” the time limit.
Even though it is possible for many users to fake their names and identification numbers, such as by using their parents’ account, facial recognition would be an unbreakable obstacle they cannot avoid. If I cannot avoid showing my face on the internet, would I still have a full enjoyable experience when I'm using the internet? I believe that we, as internet users, would have to ask ourselves: is entertainment really worth risking our privacy?
“The C.D.C. Needs to Stop Confusing the Public”
The C.D.C. has been pretty confusing in the things they have said over the past year and a half. At some point, they lifted the mask mandate for people who were vaccinated, but then they made it mandatory again. Now, people aren’t wearing masks when they should be. Even with the new Delta variant, they waited too long to react and give the public guidelines to follow. Many other countries made it clear the variant posed a huge threat, yet the C.D.C. waited until June to address it. Currently, in places like Florida and Louisiana, covid cases are skyrocketing. I was supposed to go on vacation to Miami next week, but we had to cancel the trip since there are just too many cases down there. Though my entire family’s vaccinated, my sport’s season starts only a few days after we would come back, and I don't want to accidentally infect anyone if I'm carrying it. Also, school is supposed to open again in one month, yet the government has not yet addressed the fact there are unvaccinated students who could possibly catch the virus. Instead of giving direct answers to issues, the C.D.C says one thing and then goes back to say another thing a few days later, confusing the public and not helping very much in curbing the pandemic.
"Simone Biles and the Power of 'No'"
It was shocking for many viewers when they heard that Simone Biles would not be participating in the USA team gymnastic event. This came as such a surprise because Simone Biles is considered one of the greatest gymnast's in the world and was expected to help take home the golf for Team USA. However, just like all of us, Simone Biles is human and has to face these expectation which put a large amount of pressure on her. The decision by Biles to withdraw was for the benefit of both her mental and physical health. It is important to understand that if you are not in the right state of mind as a gymnast, then you can seriously hurt yourself. By saying "no", Biles did what not many athletes did before her and she became a model for taking care of your mental health which is always very important.
Despite its goal to place sport at the service of harmony, the Olympics often became a platform for superpowers to compete. Seeing that China increasingly invests in the Olympics as a competitor, writer Hannah Beech asserts that China’s state-run “sports machine” earns medals for national glory at the expense of its athletes’ careers.
Ms. Beech describes Chinese athletes as products of a “sport assembly line”, stripping them of their individualities. She states that they are assigned into “less prominent sports” to win medals, warranting that over 75% of China’s medals come from “just six sports”, an interesting claim as 30 of 59 medals won by the US came from only swimming.
I disagree with her statements and would like to share my perspective. As an Olympics fan, I follow many Chinese athletes’ Weibo accounts, where they post daily personal content. Yang Qian, a gold-medalist shooter, also studies economics at Tsinghua; Hou Zhihui, mentioned in this article, is a Tik Tok addict and a drama fan; Shi Yuqi, a badminton player, is a hardcore gamer. Many of them are relatably around my age. They have too unique of a personality to be called cogs in a sport machine.
We can’t alienate professional athletes from an angle of outsiders. It's disrespectful to call some sports less “prominent”. Moreover, to say that products of state-run machines can consistently earn gold at the Olympics humiliates both the Chinese athletes and their competitors, denying their love for the sports.
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@Jingyuan Chen
China's Olympic Goal: The Most Golds, at Any Cost
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/world/asia/china-olympics.html
Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set
Some might say that Simon Biles was a coward for not continuing the competition, but she showed courage by sacrificing her ego and helping her teammates having a better chance of winning. And she knew that no matter how many people counted on her, she must prioritize her health physically and mentally first. And at times, we have a common misconception of what courage is because it never means gritting our teeth through everything but having the ability to make the right decision despite the pressure. Consequently, Simone's decision connected with me because it showed me that it's not cowardly to quit something that everyone counted on you for, rather courage to stand up and make the choice of knowing when your body and mind need a rest. I know I tend to push myself a lot in studying or any hobby I particularly enjoy, but from reading this article, I know that boundaries are things we need to consider for the benefit of the health of our bodies. And overall, we are all human at the end of the day and, we must come to realize no professional athlete, singer, or anyone is perfect and, we all need breaks and mistakes from what people expect us to be, and that takes true strength to admit.
Arthur is cancelled after 25 years
Arthur everyone’s favorite aardvark, from the memes, the books, and the amazing show. This show taught us how to be kind to one another. This article brought back memories of not having cable and being so excited to come home and watch tv. Even as I got older the show still stuck with me because of the memes.
My favorite episode was when his family came for a family reunion. He found out his cousin he was afraid of was coming. He spent most of the day avoiding her because she used to bully and torture him. Then in the end he realized she not like that anymore and she just wanted to hang out with him.
This show will be greatly missed but it gave us valuable lessons. Like it’s ok to be angry but you shouldn’t hurt people because you are angry. Everyone’s home may look different like how buster has divorced parents and that is ok. Sometimes we may feel angry, scared, or sad we should feel those feelings. Who knew a show could teach us all of these lessons.
"How I Hold It Together: Ordering In and More"
"Holding It Together"; A phrase I hear so often, yet don't understand.
How can I "hold it together"? I'm a senior in high school, making decisions that will affect the rest of my life. My brain isn't even fully developed yet. I'm scrambling just to figure out what supplies I need for class and I'm expected to determine what I want to spend the rest of my life doing? There is no way that anyone my age can make those kinds of decisions.
That's the thing: no one my age, let alone anyone in general, really knows what they're doing.
It's important to pay close attention to your environment. Constant deadlines, stress, and anxiety lurch around the back corner waiting to creep in like a cat pursuing its prey. We are always rushing through our days, looking for ways to destress while we willingly allow ourselves to become overworked slaves. We look for articles online to give us tips & tricks on what it really takes to "hold it together".
Life is hard. Sometimes you have to admit that. We fall down. We fail. We cry.
Everyone is so bent on saving face, creating a façade to everyone around them that everything is okay, so much so that we lie to ourselves. It's okay not to be okay. It's okay to not be able to "hold it together".
I find myself reading wellness articles like these most when I'm stressed out. When I feel I'm in the dark and there's no way out.
For anyone who feels the same, know this: you are not alone.
Tteokmanduguk (Rice Cake Soup With Dumplings)
I have mixed memories of tteokguk from my past. Some days it was my comfort food, my shield. My eomma would make it for me and I would watch as she stirred the simmering broth, added in the slices of rice cake, garnished it with slivers of scallion. At restaurants they would add mandu that I would never eat. It was a happy food on Seollal, when an imo would smile at me and tell me to eat a lot because the more rice cakes I ate, the longer I would live. On those days, it was a food of consolation, of reassurance.
And yet other days it was my bane, the gateway for teasing at lunch. Though the majority of my class were Asian-American, they mocked me, pointing fingers and calling it “duck soup.” On those days, tteokguk was no longer a shield for me—it was a target for arrows of scorn. “If they tease you, it means they like you,” my mother told me whenever I complained. “So don’t be too hurt, okay? Boys express themselves strangely.” I would sniffle, laugh, and move on.
Now, years after those incidents, tteokguk still holds these memories for me. My mother makes me this soup when I am feeling down, or when she reminds me to take care of myself. Every sip I take holds a bit of my past, of memories good and bad. And with each sip I am reminded that memories form who we are. We gain strength from them, learn lessons from them, are motivated by them. And the most beautiful part about them is: we continue to create them every single day.
“Going for Broke in Cryptoland”
I’m no economist, in fact I only possess a basic knowledge of
things like the stock market and supply and demand. I’ve never understood what makes a quarter worth one gumball, or one pack of gum, and honestly, I never plan to.
Yet, despite my general lack of expertise or care for this topic, when I see thousands of people investing thousands of dollars into crypto coins, I get this little tinge in my stomach that screams, “I have a bad feeling about this!” Unlike the U.S Dollar, which is backed by an entire country, crypto’s value comes entirely from how many other people buy it. To me, it seems like the modern-day equivalent of a pyramid scheme, where only the developers and creators of the coin at the very top make money, and everyone else suffers.
My question is not, for once, how crypto works, it’s why people do it. Amongst me and my friends, crypto has always been something of a joke. Sometimes we’ll try to get each other to invest five bucks into some random coin, but at its core we all know crypto is essentially like jumping off a bridge and praying you survive.
But, if you ask me, the trend in crypto’s popularity hasn’t increased because people have become dumber, it’s because the desire to become rich has become greater. As the number of overnight millionaire success stories increase, so too will the number of crypto investments.
The problem is, what everyone really needs isn’t a crypto investment: it’s a reality check.
“The Simple Life has to be one of the most interesting reality TV shows we’ve ever seen,” my eldest sister exclaims. Since I was young, my sister and I had always indulged ourselves in the clueless, ditzy behavior of Paris Hilton. The heiress lifestyle of Hilton has always been of interest to myself and others because of her glamorous characteristics and humorous personality. For somebody who has always followed the streaming of various reality shows, finding out that Hilton introduced yet another show sparked my interest.
Christina Morales, the writer of, “Paris Hilton, Admittedly No Cook, Gets Her Own Cooking Show,” seemingly watched the cooking show herself as she inserts distinct aspects of individual episodes throughout the article. Morales added the details of Hilton’s attire of a “...twinkling black dress with feathery sleeves and high heels…” in the kitchen.
It turns out that Paris Hilton loves to cook and make meals for her loved ones regardless of her lack of expertise in the field. In doing this, Hilton adds her own flair as shown on her cooking show as she has bedazzled recipe books, incorporates her personal slang, as well as her socialite behavior. Hilton’s usual airheaded attributes seamlessly blend into the process of grocery shopping and food preparation.
Now I have a new show to binge-watch on Netflix thanks to Christina Morales. I wouldn’t have heard about Hilton’s new, comedic cooking show if it weren’t for her article!
"How Racist is America?"
David Brooks opens by examining the incomes and college enrollment levels of different racial groups to assess how well they can access the “American Dream,” a strategy which, according to Brooks, “points us to empirical data rather than just theory and supposition.” The “theory and supposition” Brooks eschews, however, are part of the lived reality of almost all non-white people in America. This spring, I was on 88th and Madison when a man got in my face, pulled up the corners of his eyes in a classic anti-Asian gesture, then walked away as if nothing had happened. Can these incidents be directly measured by data about my college enrollment status or income, say, ten years down the line?
Besides, just because a group of people seems accomplished as a whole doesn't mean they no longer experience racism––rather, some of them are succeeding despite the barriers they face.
Even assuming empirical data is completely trustworthy, the answer to the titular question depends largely on how those data are sliced. Brooks uses median when discussing the “income gap” between Black and white households. Another statistical tool, like range, however, might have more accurately measured ex. the Asian American population, which, despite having the highest median household income by racial group, also has the largest internal wealth gap. Brooks, by only examining medians in a one-size-fits-all strategy, mistakenly believes Asian Americans are not worth mentioning.
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I first heard the sound of a cello when I was nine. The welcoming, heartwarming sound fascinated me. Since then, the cello has become part of my life. Soon I was sitting on the first chair in my school orchestra.
After attending some competitions, I began to imagine myself as the next Yo-Yo Ma. However, I soon found that many cello players started when they were four! Did I start too late? Can I still become the best cellist in the world?
I didn’t find myself enjoying playing the cello as much as before. Instead, I worried about winning the competition.
While reading “It’s Never Too Late to Play the Cello”, my first memories of the cello came flooding back, deep and warm, like a human voice. It reminded me of my first recital - although I was the youngest performer in the concert, I played with all my heart and soul, and it was wonderful. I recalled the time when I played to my grandma, a non-musician, over the phone, and she burst into tears on the other end. I realized how much joy I had when I collaborated with my fellow musicians in the orchestra.
I wasn’t thinking about winning back then.
Alix Strauss writes about Vera Jiji, who played the cello but quit when she was young and picked it up again when she was 62. At 93, Jiji says, “You have to get up each morning and do something you love.”
I love playing the cello. I’ll keep it as my company as long as I live, and try to make the most beautiful sound. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll become a famous cellist after all.
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This past week, I spent a great deal of my free time watching the Olympics. Whether it be highlights of an American taking home a medal, or just watching live events at lunch time, I thought it was incredibly entertaining. The idea of watching the best of the best athletes in the entire world go head to head is amazing. Because of this, I decided to read an article about the Olympics, and it truly opened my eyes up to the somewhat depressing realities of the modern olympic games that you don’t see or hear about on TV.
The article was titled “Let the Games … Be Gone?” written by John Branch, and it highlighted the numerous problems attributed to the Olympics that I had never heard of. The article showed me how the modern games are run with money as the highest priority, not the Athletes themselves. I was also made aware of how much hosting the Olympics takes a toll on a city. Years ago, It was an honor to host the Olympics, but now it’s seen as a chore that leaves massive marks on hosting cities. This on top of
The Olympic committee being made up of people with business and political ties has changed my perspective on the games, and I’m definitely going to be thinking about these things while I continue to enjoy the different events. Although I don’t think the Olympics have to go, I think that there are going to have to be some major reforms to how they run if they want to continue for many years to come.
"Facebook Wants to Court Creators. It Could Be a Tough Sell."
A login pop-up appears on my screen:
Log-in with Facebook.
I shrug and proceed. I think to myself, this is the only use for Facebook I have.
Facebook is the new MySpace, the little sibling you have to bring along because you have to, an afterthought. Maybe it’s because I’m part of the new generation, but I took to Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter before even considering Facebook. For some reason, Facebook has only recently decided to begin luring the ever-growing pool of content creators in.
I noticed this change when Facebook implemented the cross-platform posting option. To be frank, it seemed a naive decision. Whatever audience I have on Facebook is older, the generation of my parents. What would they do with my ramblings about anime and school?
The company longs to dive into a new demographic that had been locked for them, but they ignore the strengths they already have. No, the vast majority no longer uses the platform as a platform, but as either storage for game data or networking. Putting effort into providing users more tools for these activities may not fulfil Facebook’s intended purpose, but evolve it.
Funny, Facebook’s dilemma reminds me of a poorly-written young adult novel, where the main character realizes that they never needed to change; they were perfect just the way they are.
“The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, many of my fellow classmates thought we would be out for a couple of weeks, and then the school would resume normally. During the initial school closure, we had the time of our lives watching TV, eating junk food, and rechanging our social batteries. Soon, my school expanded the lockdown and announced that online classes would begin. When we started online classes, the majority of us experienced a loss in productivity. Throughout the summer and the next year, this lapse in productivity continued for many while tv shows and movie consumption went up. As did dessert consumption.
The data given in the graph/article isn't shocking to me. In order to stay in touch with my friends, I tried to call or facetime them as much as possible. Many of us started to use the app Discord, and we would chat there until late at night. I definitely slept more than usual. With extra time on my hands, I decided to finally sleep the recommended 9/10 hours. It was glorious. I watched more movies and ended up binging seasons upon seasons of shows. As for gaming? When I finished 10 seasons of Grey's Anatomy and decided it was getting boring, 5 daily hours of Minecraft began to fill that void. Surprisingly, I actually ended up cooking and exercising more than I did pre-pandemic.
The pandemic has certainly changed how I spend my time. For better and for worse.
As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again
After reading this article, I have mixed feelings. We have been told that once everyone is vaccinated, things should begin to go back to normal. The idea of mask mandates coming back after they were supposed to be gone for good is troubling. However, I also have everyone's health and safety at mind. It is a delicate balance between these two ideas. But ultimately, I do believe it is wrong to mandate masks for fully vaccinated Americans, for whom the risk of COVID is now minimal. If you are fully vaccinated, even if you get the virus or this new Delta strain, you will feel minimal impacts. And with the vaccine so widely available to anyone 12 or older, I see no reason to continue mask mandates where at this point, anyone who is getting seriously ill from COVID is someone who has chosen to not get the vaccine, and in my eyes that is on them, not the rest of us.
When I was six, my mom has bought me a book called “The Mystery of the Universe”. That was a cool book, and inside it, there are many beautiful illustrations with accompanying text. Since then, I began to look up at the night sky and knew that the Earth is not alone in the universe.
In “What Animals See in the Stars, and What They Stand to Lose” Joshua Sokol led me through the seals that can recognize the direction of Uranus, young indigo buntings that are gradually learning the path of Polaris, and dung beetles that are guided by the Milky Way. It is inconceivable that these animals, which are common in nature, can be influenced by the stars, in the meantime skillfully use this ability in daily life.
I was in New York City on Christmas 2018, and the streets full of traffic and lights showed me a bustling city, but I couldn't look up and see the stars in the sky anymore. Indeed, I can clearly sense that human has covered the diamonds on the night with a veil of unfriendly light, which also affect the animals in one way or another.
Until now, I am glad that I have read this article, so I can know beyond what “The Mystery of the Universe” has taught me. And by finding out that humans are not alone on the way of chasing stars, one thing I do care about and hope for now is that with the improvement of people’s awareness of not just light pollution, but the environmental issues in general, these animals can better live, and continue their voyages towards the paths of stars.
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The Pandemic changed how we spent our time
I remember when the first lockdown started, I wasn’t necessarily worried about anything. All I can remember is being extremely happy that school was out for two weeks, but those two weeks turned out to be a lot longer than that. I spent a lot more time sleeping, and just doing things that would entertain me, which wasn’t much. I remember facetime with my friends just to at least get something to do, I would play minecraft literally any game so I wouldn’t be bored. I never really knew how much longer we were gonna stay in lockdown, but I never really minded it. I liked staying home rather than going to school, the only thing I missed was seeing my friends. As I was reading the article the one thing that really caught my attention were the charts for 15-24 year olds. It went up a lot for gaming, sleeping, and texting/phone calls. I felt a lot more connected with my friends, as I was sharing a lot more with them about my experiences and talking to them a lot more than if it was in person. I also noticed that exercising went down by a lot, but during the lockdown I found myself exercising a lot more. Even though I slept a lot more, I would still be very productive throughout the day. I found that staying in my bed wasn’t helping my boredom but I found myself going on runs, and doing those workout videos on youtube just so i feel like i was being productive.
“On the Road With Ballet Theater. Who Needs Red Velvet Seats?” by Brian Seibert helped provide a different solution to the issue of dancing ballet during the pandemic than my old studio did.
As a former ballet dancer, I understand how difficult it has been to dance during the duration of the pandemic. Although I quit at the beginning of this year, I stayed in dance long enough through the pandemic to know how greatly ballet specifically has been affected by the new guidelines for indoor activities. When dancing ballet, pointe shoes and flat shoes are both ideally meant to be worn on a special floor made for these types of shoes, otherwise the delicate soles fabric on the shoe could be greatly damaged.
Because of various complications, my ballet studio closed lessons for about six months at the beginning of the pandemic. Later, they reopened and held Zoom classes for dancers to attend. Without the right type of flooring however, it was difficult to work on turns and jumps without slipping on hard wood or getting stuck in a turn because of carpet friction. Dancing without the proper dance floor felt like every surface was working against you, seeing how it could make you slip or stumble in the middle of a difficult combination.
The American Ballet Theater suffered some of the same complications my studio did, but through incredible resilience and hard work, they found a way to provide people with breathtaking shows without sacrificing the technique and comfort of its dancers.
“As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again”
The Delta Variant of the Coronavirus is a recent variant of Covid that is very dangerous and is putting many unvaccinated people into the hospital in critical condition. The CDC now says that people that have been vaccinated should start wearing masks again since this variant is one of the most dangerous waves yet but mostly for the unvaccinated. Schools are starting to open now and parents are now hesitant about sending their children to school, especially children under 12 years old, who are not eligible to take the vaccine. The Biden administration is now urging everyone to wear masks indoors, as that would help slow the spread of this delta variant. They are also pushing the unvaccinated to get their vaccines so the country can go back to how it was before the virus. Due to the rising cases, many counties are starting to reinstate the mask mandate such as Los Angeles County and St. Louis County. People that have been vaccinated are still at risk if they have a weak immune system but it is a rare event.
This article caught my attention because school is starting soon and we will have to wear masks in school so we can stay safe and learn at the same time. I have personally taken my vaccine but I will still wear masks so I can keep my family at home safe from this dangerous variant. My family has been taking this virus very seriously and we got our vaccine as soon as it was approved.
https://nyti.ms/37mWs3T
December 2020, I recall sitting at home in a corner by myself. My brother was in another room, my dad in another, and my mom in another. Headaches, colds, aches, and coughs plagued our family. Covid-19 had struck. It was a tough time, we had to isolate ourselves from each other, and everyday tasks became difficult. My family and I were lucky since others were sent into the ER and even died.
Now, we are lucky enough to have access to multiple vaccines, with exceptionally high efficacy no less. With free protection from Covid, shouldn’t every American be vaccinated at this point? Sadly, this is not true; only 49% of Americans are fully vaccinated.
Some people I know don’t want to get vaccinated, citing allergies, the inability to take breaks from their jobs to rest, or fears of conspiracy theories. The first two reasons are valid things out of their control, but the last reason is the most suspect.
Skeptics refuse to believe in science, citing that the vaccine harms their freedom. On the contrary, they are damaging their freedom. At Indiana University, non-vaccinated students can’t enter the campus, schools will now require vaccinations, and due to their susceptibility to the virus, cities will begin closing down again. These people are taking away their freedom, restricting themselves from going back to normal.
“‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years”
I’ve mentioned it before: My family doesn’t own a TV.
As a kid, staying at a hotel and flicking the TV on meant coming back to the comforting world of Arthur. Intelligence from Brain (the stellar student who made me strive to be my best self academically), ideas from Sue Ellen, and humility from Muffy helped shape my teenage and childhood years.
A particular episode where they showed a character with autism interacting with another character left me wonderstruck. Motivated by the sheer kindness presented, I immediately began to view people with physical and mental differences with compassion instead of callousness. It guided me to befriend a kid in my art class by simply walking with him to the office. It was only because of the pandemic that I never got to see him again, but without the help of that episode, an entire history of friendship would have vanished.
Despite my shock from reading the article, that was when I learned Arthur was an aardvark, not a bear. This show is proof that sometimes the lessons people portray are more significant than jokes they crack. I spent so much time discovering myself through the show and relating to the plots that I didn’t substantially ponder about the characters themselves. I thought more about their motives and personalities than just their appearances, and that’s something I hope more people can do shortly.
As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges Some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again
During the past couple of months, the pandemic that kept us locked inside our houses for over a year has gradually affected our lives less and less. However, a new strain, the Delta variant, is running rampant around the world, especially in the US. A prominent example of this is in India where the Delta variant is causing a major lockdown, making hospitals overflow, and forcing people to line up on the streets just for a hospital bed. Personally, I have seen friends and family in India get COVID and not have any place to go to for help. Everything is starting to settle down, but due to the unpredictability of COVID, there is still a possibility of another wave. The CDC has stated that people, vaccinated or not, should wear masks to help stop the spread of this new variant. This may go as far as even wearing masks indoors to help protect immuno-comprimised people or people who just weren’t able to get the vaccine. In fact, the author states, “After the agency’s announcement, White House Staff were instructed to begin wearing masks again indoors.” In conclusion, this new COVID-19 variant is resurging globally, so in order to stay safe it is the people’s responsibility to wear masks even if they are vaccinated.
“Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports”
What caught my own, as well as the entire globe's attention, is Simone Biles's withdrawal from the Olympics. It was shocking at first to see someone the country thinks of as their athletic superhero, pull herself from the Games. No one was expecting it because she's usually so bubbly and happy. We couldn't have well expected the true severity of her mental health.
But, I am so glad that she stood up for herself when she most needed to. She is legitimately the best gymnast of all time, that can't be an easy title to carry. She is carrying the pressure of being the face of Team USA into the biggest competitions in history.
No one knows her body and mind better than she does, and for anyone to think they know what's best for her is ridiculous. Her tiny body can do more than almost all of yours ever could. I think it's ridiculous that people think they get to have a say on whether or not she did the right. We have no idea what she's dealing with and we never fully will!
She is under more pressure than we could probably comprehend. A crucial part of being a leader is knowing when to step up and take charge, and when to hand that torch off to others. It's a true sign of dignity and nobility that Simone was able to identify her breaking point before it reached a more severe moment.
We need to understand that just because she is an Olympic athlete doesn't mean she doesn't go through the same mental struggles we do.
Rather than writing reflections about specific articles, I would like to express how I feel right now, after seeing shocking and heartbreaking news: one of the best footballers ever, Lionel Messi, is leaving FC Barcelona.
I am a Man Utd fan. As much as I hated him for the crashes in 2009 and 2011, I am heartbroken. This is the end of an era, and none of us have ever witnessed, or are ready for, Messi wearing non blue-and-red. It just would not be the same.
In our lives, we would have many joys and fun, but equally many tears and regrets, or imperfections. Sometimes we have to give up something for other things we value more. Refugees can give up motherland for freedom; Puppies can give up their lives for owners; Kids can give up ivy league for their family. We always give up on something. It is as if it is destined to happen, but when it actually happens, nobody is quite ready for it. All the jokes and rumors have now turned into reality; All the years of familiarity have now turned into history; All the praise, criticism have now turned into farewell, gratitude.
Messi has done the unthinkable and achieved everything in Barca, but his departure still brings everyone into tears. Nothing but respect from a rival fan. I am applying to college this fall, and what I learned and experienced resonating with Messi's departure is this: no matter how close of a friend one was, things cannot always be perfect. We cherish everyday til it lasts, and we part with love and memories.
Brilliance and Heartbreak: The Story of Chris Paul’s Career
“It’s over. The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA Champions!” That’s exciting, and championships are great, but all champions don’t need trophies to prove themselves. Their persistence shows their championship character. Win or lose, Chris Paul, 36, is still a champion in my eyes. He has come close yet missed so many NBA titles, (this loss was his 16th) . He was only inches away from getting a championship trophy. I can relate.
Following Kobe Bryant’s death, I discovered a passion to play basketball again: I watched my favorite players, Paul included. After 16 years in the league, he’s still considered to be in the Top 10. Yet, he is also still criticized for missing an NBA title. Every superstar got injured this season—including Paul. He was challenged by a shoulder injury and missed games in an important conference final due to covid protocols, yet I found myself rooting for him. In the past he’s had a broken hand and hamstring injuries. He joined the Phoenix Suns just this year, yet his grit and hard work pushed them to their first Finals in 30 years. That’s a champion in my book.
After the game Paul said, “So, back to work.” His amazing talent is being overshadowed by the fact that he does not have a championship under his resume. I share a similar story as a fencer, as working for 4-5 days a week wasn’t enough to pull off a win on the big stage. I hope that Chris Paul can show with the Suns what hard work becomes.
“8-Year-Olds in Despair: The Mental Health Crisis Is Getting Younger”
Based on personal experiences, this article didn’t surprise me. In fact, I don’t think it surprised many people at all. It was like reading an article stating zebras are real after just seeing some at the zoo; of course the youth mental health crisis is a real and ongoing issue. As chief psychologist Heather C. Huszti put it, the article exists to point out that ‘we’ve never seen it this bad.’ What I did find alarming was the lack of facilities, funding, and professionals that can help ease the growing numbers of seriously depressed youth. It makes me wonder: if my 11-year-old classmate picked up a phone to call a hotline instead of a gun four years ago, what treatment would he receive? Would his case be dealt with swiftly enough? If he was still alive today, would his mental health have improved? It’s also unfortunate that this tends to be a topic in which people point fingers. Parents, smartphones, and countless other factors are branded as the cause of this ‘mental illness epidemic’. However, our society should focus less on blaming and more on the resources that can supply help. Plus, all these factors should be considered of equal importance when assessing a child’s mental health. I hope this article serves as a reminder to benefactors that mental health providers and facilities deserve attention, and that parents and other prominent figures in children’s lives address the signs before it’s too late.
"Working Less Is a Matter of Life and Death"
The argument that Americans are overworked, supported by the three essential points that: working has medically endangered Americans, there is no time for leisure, and it is a necessity to live a sustainable life. The techniques of adding many statistics from the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization allow the audience to be persuaded and feel as though their argument is valid. Though, it includes facts such as that in Japan, they have a legally acknowledged cause of death called “karoshi” which means “death by overwork.” This quotation adds to their idea that people are dangerously overworked, though it does not pertain to the idea that Americans are. In addition, they also include the fact that one survey found that many American employees have canceled vacation plans over the course of the pandemic. This point was supposed to display that Americans have canceled them due to working so much more at home and not having time to work. Though, this argument could be disputed since many of those cancellations could have been due to people being worried about obtaining the virus and not wanting to risk leaving their homes. This editorial also missed the opportunity to add the amount of Americans working multiple jobs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics, 7.8% of Americans are multiple jobholders, which is an increase of what it was two decades ago.
“New Policy Aims to Help Transgender Researchers Update Names on Old Work”
I always have anxiety as I check the winners for this weekly contest. As I scroll down the Runners Up and Honorable Mentions, I hold my breath in anticipation of my name materializing. But then last week a name appeared on the Honorable Mention list and I surmised it was my friend because his first name isn’t common. I called him to inquire and he confirmed my hunch. He then said he needed to contact the Learning Network to get his full name published. My first name would be fine for me, but he insisted that his full name was needed because a person’s name is his/her connection to their own identity and individuality. I recalled that in this article about transgender scientists striving to update their names on published papers. The scientists argue that “it is not only inaccurate when publishers fail to update their names on past work, but also hurtful and discriminatory.” Changing one's name, such as women who replace their maiden name with their spouse's name, and having that change represented in their professional lives should be a respected practice and this right should be given to ALL people. Some people get offended when their name is mispronounced so can you imagine not having your proper name identified on a scientific paper that was most likely grueling to create? While my friend was sure the NYT would update his name, he cleverly remarked that he wanted “some respect put on his name.”
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"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time” by Ben Casselman and Ella Koeze, really caught my eye because it helped me to better comprehend my issues as an online student.
Although I saved an hour commuting to school each day, learning fully online, I found that my time management skills rapidly deteriorated. As the year progressed, I was procrastinating more and more. Unable to go outside, my anger and frustration grew, in addition to the steadily mounting homework. I began to lash out at my family more, especially at my parents. With my time management out of control and exasperation mounting, I felt embittered towards my family.
Reading this article helped me understand how our use of time has changed and the burden this has placed on parents, especially mothers. I am the youngest of three siblings stuck indoors together, and often our large age gaps provoked disagreements. My mom had to deal with three boisterous kids, as well as maneuvering around my dad’s “no-noise” times- his conferences - as he worked from home. The statistics provided by the article allowed me to see the impact of the pandemic on time usage, and also gave me a new perspective on the burdens of parents. Moreover, I learned to truly appreciate and acknowledge my parents’ extra effort in keeping our family happy, safe, and productive during the pandemic.
I realized that it was not just students whose education suffered but also parents who had too much to juggle.
"Suddenly It’s Bare Season"
"Quickly put on your coat. Dare to go out shopping with just wearing the bra?" My father scolded me.
I always wore a heavy sweater, long trousers, and a easy ponytail to go shopping. I was used to wearing a T-shirt on a sports bra and a pair of trousers to exercise. Wore tight, long-sleeved trousers to sleep every day. These were what I looked like before the pandemic. On the street, no one would pay attention to me with abnormal eyes. At that time I thought I was at ease.
During the pandemic, I could only stay at home. The internet and big data flooded my life. I was obsessed with looks. I liked those itty-bitty bandeaus, bra tops, and skivvies that were showing the personal charm. I admired the people who wore these clothes on the Internet. They were not afraid to show their body charm and enchanting, but I did not dare to buy.
"Is this the logical endpoint of increasingly blurred distinctions between public and private?" Guy Trebay asked. What is the endpoint? What is the meaning of life? After the pandemic, I am aware that the accident may come in the next second. In our precious and terminable lives, should we take into consideration the way others look at us and relinquish the things that we love, feel comfortable, and are not bound to? No. This endpoint is our own opinion. We can blur everything and dress in a comfy way. Oh, tomorrow I will wear my newly bought green halter strap and brown low-slung jeans to have a date with my friend.
In Stressful Times, Make Stress Work for You-Kari Leibowitz
-Suffering from obsessive compulsive and generalized anxiety disorder, it is very safe to assume that living through a global pandemic was an absolute nightmare for me. My pre-existing fears of contamination and the consequences increased tenfold, leaving me to spend many miserable months locked away in social isolation attempting to find ways to deal with copious amounts of stress.
-Although it seems obvious that excessive worry over the negative effects of stress will only impact one's health for the worse, I still found myself struggling to recognize that irony. This article would have been extremely helpful to me at the peak of the pandemic, as it offers useful tips on how to cope with stress and minimize the health risks that could come along with it.
-The most important thing is first changing one's mindset about the anxieties faced, acknowledging that stress can actually be beneficial up to a certain point. According to the Yerkes-Dodson law, an optimal level of mental arousal leads to a higher performance. However, too much stress (such as fears about the health risks of anxiety) will only cause more issues for one’s performance in the long run. Instead of worrying more than what is necessary, it's crucial to identify and accept a stressor and move onto channeling the anxiety it brings into something more productive. In the future, I aim to utilize these techniques for better mental and physical well-being.
"Simone Biles’s Future at the Olympics Left Unclear”
As a rising 9th grader, I have started devoting more time and effort into planning for my future. Whether this has been to plan a strong and nurturing high school experience, or scouting out potential colleges that interest me, I have noticed a pattern. In order to complete even the simplest of goals, you must have a plan. While it could be as simple as grabbing your bike and riding to your friend's house, everything in life must be achieved through your own actions.
This relates to the article in a sense that Simone Biles has trained for the past four years with the goal of competing in these Olympics. Even though she is widely recognized (correctly, in my opinion) as the greatest gymnast of all time, setbacks could happen at any given moment. In her case, it was ‘the twisties’. This is when an athlete loses their spatial awareness in a routine, leading to possible serious injuries.
Although she is an all-time great gymnast and has spent the last four years of her life training for the Olympics, she was still unable to compete. While she will almost definitely be back at the next Olympics, this still goes to show how surprising and devastating setbacks can be. This can apply to anybody, no matter age, occupation, or race. While there is no true way to eliminate these setbacks, I have determined that resilience is my best option to combat them and build the best possible future for myself.
"Meet The People Burning California to Save it"
What got my attention this week in the NY Times was an article/video on how inc California, they are burning areas in that state to make sure that wildfires do not spread to the civilians. When I first saw this article I was shocked that people are actually burning places in California as a defense against fire but as I dig deep into this piece I understood why this is so important to do and how it won't be bad but actually help the people of California. The people that are involved with this are called Burn Bosses and because most of them are firefighters, less than half of their time is devoted to putting out fires. Having private organizations could help lighten the load firefighters have while helping so that idea would be great for the future. This really grabbed my attention because I have family in California and I know what they go through to make sure that they are ready if a fire ever breaks out where they live. I am grateful that I was able to read an article like this and watch a video that showed me what exactly they are doing. Thanks, NY Times for this opportunity to read and understand a huge problem that is affecting many lives.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/theater/wicked-broadway-tour.html
I was ecstatic once I heard the quintessential Broadway musical “Wicked” would be returning as a national tour. This is wonderful news for both performers and future audience members, as live performances have been greatly missed. The show’s “Elphaba”, Talia Suskaur, shares how it was emotional coming back to her tour since the pandemic. She says, “I felt like our purpose was being stripped away. And now, to come back, it’s overwhelming.”
The reason I chose to read this article is because I am truly passionate about the performing arts and am incredibly grateful to see it returning. During the pandemic, many performers became unemployed because Broadway had shut down. It was very disheartening to many, and some thought Broadway could never return after Covid-19. It seemed the pandemic took the arts away from us, which was devastating because of how influential the performing arts were in our lives. Not being able to do what I loved was a nightmare, and my fears only grew as the pandemic worsened. I shared a similar response to Suskaur once I began to see my own high school theatre program return, for now I could finally continue the craft I love so much. Seeing Broadway make its comeback has instilled a hope in myself for the future and for the permanent return of performing arts.
“For Years, Western Scientists Stigmatized Periods. We’re Living the Consequences.”
I remember that there was a chapter on menstruation in my seventh-grade biology textbook, however, it was deliberately ignored by my teacher, who just told us that this content was not important. I was confused and raised my hand to ask her to explain the knowledge about menstruation for us, but what I got next was the embarrassed laughter from my classmates and an ambiguous look from the teacher.
I don't understand. Until now, I still don't understand why they think it's not important to know about menstruation. “For Years, Western Scientists Stigmatized Periods. We’re Living the Consequences” clearly expresses that due to lack of understanding, Western scientists stigmatized menstruation in the past, treating menstruation as a disease, and believing that it would affect women's learning, work, and political activities, which was unfair to women. Although this situation has improved, it is far from good enough.
Enlightened Westerners still have so many misunderstandings about menstruation, not to mention Chinese people with conservative ideas, I am more clearly aware of the importance of popularizing knowledge of menstruation. I regret that I didn't insist on my request in that class. As women, we should stand up bravely, just like Mary Putnam Jacobi and Clelia Duel Mosher mentioned in the article, freeing women from the shackles of the past. I decide it is time to do something.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/business/economy/amazon-union-labor.html
Whenever I go on a youtube binge, there's always an Amazon ad that advertises that you should work at amazon for a good salary coupled with content amazon workers with bright smiles on their faces. I've thought that amazon was a greedy conglomerate and due to my confirmation bias this article captivated me with its headline.
The article discusses how employment has increased after the pandemic which I believe is to an extent due to the ads on amazon posts. What stood out to me was the article states, "an Amazon executive called a worker-turned-protester “not smart, or articulate.”This further supports the idea that corporate heads could care less about the average worker and think of them as inferior to them. This situation of the average worker wanting better working conditions does so through "strikes, protests, and boycotts" feels akin to the robber barons in the gilded age.
At the end of the article, it discusses the idea of a 2nd election for union due to the first one being rigged through actions such as "that Amazon illegally threatened workers with a loss of pay or benefits if they unionized."This shows the bleak reality of how top dogs can easily control the actions of the average worker because they hold them in the palm of their hand. Hopefully, something is done to help the average worker at amazon, and that their 2nd election will turn out to be a success.
"The Minecraft Generation"
Minecraft is a game of creativity and infinite possibilities. This is why it is one of the most popular video games too. Over millions of people play this game every day. Whether in single-player or multiplayer, there are lots of fun.
I am one of those people who like to play with my friends. Just an hour of playing seems like a few minutes. It made me realize how much video games impact us now. I think that people shouldn't play too much Minecraft, but balance it out, so that they will live a healthier life.
Tokyo Olympians Are Showing That Grit Can Be Graceful
I had my first job this year. It was okay, but from the start, I could tell it wasn’t going to last for me. I kept telling myself it’s okay to not love exactly what I’m doing since it was short shifts and, being only sixteen, having an after-school job doesn’t mean that it’s going to be my future career. So, I tried my best not to complain and assured my friends and family that I was content with my job if they asked about it. However, most of my sophomore year, with so many changes going on in my life, some rooting from covid, as well as drifting from friends and the death of my grandfather coming so unexpectedly, I hadn’t been in the best mindset. Even taking up a small-teenager job had me becoming more stressed to the point where my parents and I decided it would be best for me to quit. I was so disappointed in myself after I quit after only a month, but it simply didn’t align with where I was and overall wasn’t benefitting me.
Seeing Simone Biles when she had pulled out from the Olympics last week for her mental health made me feel more inspired by her than watching any of her gymnastics routines. How are people expected to perform to these standards other people set for them if their head isn’t in the right place? A person’s mindset really is the foundation for how they perceive their life, which contributes to how a person shows up and that’s why I think it’s so important to take care of ourselves.
Everybody’s seen the photo: six Marines hoisting an American flag on top of a mountain of rubble during World War II. I’d always thought that the Marines did this of their own accord in a burst of patriotism, but the article, “Col. Dave Severance, Commander at Iwo Jima, Dies at 102,” showed me that it was Colonel Dave Severance who sent the soldiers to raise the flag. The iconic photo left a big impact on history and morale for the troops, but the Colonel said he had no idea how significant this scene would become.
After five and a half years of brutal, ongoing fighting, the world was tired and ready for the war to be over. The photo raised much needed hope for the Allies, hope that the war would end soon, hope that America would come out victorious, and hope that their loved ones would come home safely. And while the war did last for another six months, the photo further strengthened the belief in soldiers and civilians that their cause was a noble one, one worth all this struggle. In the end, after unspeakable atrocities, the American flag did remain waving triumphantly in the air.
Dave Severance died in his home on Monday, August 2 at 102 years old, yet his legacy lives on. Two years prior, on his 100th birthday, the current Marine Corps commandant General Robert Neller sent him a letter saying, “You played a crucial role in shaping the warrior ethos of our Corps,” an ethos that symbolizes perseverance and resilience. Rest in peace, Colonel. Thank you for your service.
The United States seems to have split into 2 sides, red or blue, mask or no mask, and pro-vax vs. anti-vax. Although we are all American, these ideologies have separated us. With the Coronavirus cases surging and people still refusing to get vaccinated or wear a mask, the problem of this split has shown even more.
Jessica Valenti stated in Unvaxxed, Unmasked and Putting Our Kids at Risk that “Gross selfishness masked as American individualism is killing our country and traumatizing our children. That’s not “intolerant” or an overreaction; it’s a fact.” While aggressive statements do little to reconcile both sides of a debate, I do not understand why getting vaccinations should cause controversy. I’ve always wanted to believe that everything that I wanted to believe in, I refused to believe that Santa Claus wasn’t real because the thought of a magical being coming to my house to bring presents was comforting. In fact, I still have this mindset. I want to forget that there is so much kidnapping and trafficking going on because it makes me feel distraught even though I know it’s true.
This makes me think that people are not realizing the horrible side effects of not getting the vaccine and wearing your mask. Though you might be afraid of the possible side-effects of the vaccine, the benefits of the vaccines outplay these side-effects.
“The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time”
I used to know how life would generally look like every day. This meant that I knew how I spent my time in most aspects of my life. That changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ben Casselman and Ella Koeze’s “The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time” was full of charts that illustrated how the way many people spent their time was affected by COVID-19.
The section that grabbed my attention was based around how people spent their free time. I noticed that people aged 15-24 (mostly high school/college) spent more free time in almost every aspect because due to school shutdowns, we had a lot more time on our hands. While graphs and numbers are shown throughout the article, I have personal experiences that relate to almost every chart.
Interestingly, my age group was the only group who spent less time exercising, likely because there were restrictions on school/college sports. However, I found myself spending more time exercising. Since school started later, I had more time in the mornings. so I found myself going on frequent runs and getting into strength training.
The largest graphic indicated that everyone had spent more time alone and with household members, and less time with external people. Shockingly, I felt more connected to my friends. The pandemic forced me to reach out to more people in order to feel less isolated. When we are aware of how we spend our time, it allows us to improve ourselves and build connections.
"What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?"
As technology becomes more advanced, the capabilities for companies to manipulate and invade your personal life have increased. Many companies are now using A.I. to digitally reconstruct the deceased by creating holograms, chats, and altering their voices. The author of the article, Adrienne Matei, goes into further detail about the increasing popularity of the A.I. reconstruction and also the ethical question on whether it is right or not. This article caught my attention because this is a topic that I have thought about before. Whenever a loved one in my family passes, I always wish that I could talk with them or see them one more time, and now with the new technology it is possible. I believe the opportunity to experience the presence of a deceased loved one is a great thing and should be used more often. On the other hand though, it is important for the deceased to give consent to said reconstruction before death. Without direct consent, I feel that it is a violation of someones privacy. The possibilities that companies and people have to create are endless, but also dangerous because the dead are unable to say no to someone using their image and/or likeness. Describing the use of Anthony Bourdain's digital voice in the new documentary about him, Katie Shilton explains that without Bourdain's consent, the reconstruction is "a violation of anatomy".
What Should Doctors Do When We Experience a Miracle?
Miracles are not often associated with the troubling realities of survival. The word “Miracle” and its extreme positive connotation overshadow its bitter truth. This article made me question what makes a miracle. Dr. Lamas references two patients, one who miraculously survived despite an overload of complications and another who passed away. Both families prayed and waited for a miracle, yet only one patient received it. My family and I went through a similar situation when my grandpa had a fatal accident.
We were told to prepare for the worst, nothing more could be done. There was no life-saving drug, trial, or operation for my grandpa, we could only pray for a miracle. Inexplicably, he survived, only to be paralyzed from the waist down. He now spends his life dependent on hospitals, medication, and treatment.
Many people don’t realize that patients who are granted miracles are often lost in what Dr. Lamas refers to as the “vast world between survival and true recovery.” The harsh reality of survival made me realize a miracle is not surviving a near-death experience but rather a second chance to live your life. The people who turn their situations into something beautiful are enacting the miracle. My grandpa taught me that miracles are meant to be used to change your outlook and reinvent yourself.
“As Hikers Vanish, These Mountains Hold Tight to Their Mysteries”
This article caught my attention this week because of the mystery related to all of the disappearances that have happened in the same area of Australia. In Wonnangatta Valley, there have been a series of disappearances over the years. This case, just like all the other disappearances, remains unsolved. I found this article to be very strange because of the fact that it is so easy to disappear, either willingly or unwillingly, in this valley. I would also think that by now some of these cases would have been looked into deeper, seeing as so many people have vanished in this region.
The main thing that grabbed my attention in this article was the Button Man. He is a man who lives in the woods right by this valley and has been questioned for many of these cases just because he is the only person nearby. He has had many interactions with the visitors and often asks if they would like to see his button collection, or his axe collection. He has never been charged in any of these cases, but is often the topic of many campfire stories. All of this surprised me even more because the fact that this man lives very close to the campground where many people go missing, but has never seen or heard anything makes me wonder if he truly is the one behind it. It makes me wonder why these cases haven’t been looked into deeper, why travelers continue to visit this place, and what is the true cause behind all of these cases.
Tracing Freedom to a Pair of Jeans
I feel astonishing about people’s life in North Korea
Everyday, I see people who wear jeans in the subway. I like jeans, and I enjoy to buy new clothes to make me be prettier and to make me be different.
In this passage, Ms. Yoon said she had been caught for wearing a pair of jeans in the street in the North Korea, and “she had her beg publicly for forgiveness and notified her school.” I believe what makes me surprise is Yoon didn’t choose to debate with the police about her freedom of wearing what she likes, but she chose to apologize to the police for her “dis-behavior”.
I can’t imagine a place where I need to “escape” for what I prefer to where. If I need to live in a place like this, I think I will be less “attractive” and my life will lose a lot of fun. I always enjoy choosing what to wear everyday in front of my mirror and to match clothes to make me be different from others.
Outside is a new world waiting for North Koreans to explore.
In addition, what appealing to me is another girl called Jihyun Kang. She tries to use her clothes to tell the world what these North Koreans have experienced. Kang met a lot of defectors from North Korea and asked them to share their stories about how they adapted to a new world with completely different attitude about how to wear and what to wear. As she says, “The more people know about these stories, the more room there is for change, and I want to play a part in that.”
The Best Party Dessert Comes From Hawaii
The warm sweet scent of butter mochi seeped into the air creating a nostalgic aroma. It's soft, fluffy interior melts in the mouth of anyone who eats it. On top of that it has a light golden brown exterior that adds a soft crunch with your bite. This mouth water desert is constantly made by the people of Hawaii for celebrations, birthdays, graduations, and simply just if you want a sweet snack before heading home from work. Kathy YL Chan, an author, describes mochi’s as being a “universal favorite”.
In contrast to this, I too can say that mochi’s have a huge place in my heart for bringing me nostalgia everytime i take a bite. When its flavors all blend together they create a truly irresistible treat that anyone can enjoy!
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/business/economy/amazon-union-labor.html
Whenever I go a youtube binge, there's always an amazon ad that advertises that you should work at amazon for the good salary coupled with content amazon workers with bright smiles on their faces. I've thought that amazon was a greedy conglomerate and due to my confirmation bias this article captivated me with it's headline.
The article discusses how employment has increased after the pandemic which I believe is to extent due to the ads amazon posts. What stood out to me was the article states,"an Amazon executive called a worker-turned-protester “not smart, or articulate.”This further supports the idea that corporate heads could care less about the average worker and think of them as inferior to them. This situation of the average worker wanting better working conditions does so through "strikes, protests, and boycotts" feels akin to to the robber barons in the gilded age.
At the end of the article it discusses the idea of a 2nd election for union due to the first one being rigged through actions such as "that Amazon illegally threatened workers with a loss of pay or benefits if they unionized."This is shows the bleak reality of how the corporate heads can easily control the actions of the average worker because they hold them in their palm of their hand.
What if the Unvaccinated Can’t Be Persuaded?
Yesterday I went to the tennis court with a few friends in the community. On the way home, my next-door neighbor Amy asks me why my brother is not coming today -
“Oh, he had a stuffy nose yesterday.”
“What?” her eyes widened as if she just met the Jenners on a random Tuesday.
“Are you sure he is ok? Is he fully vaccinated? you know it's scary, right? ”
…
This is not the first time I have witnessed these awkward serial questions - about if a simple cold could be COVID or about whether you have been vaccinated or not. The barrier of virus and mask mandate is frustrating, but what is more frustrating than this is the crisis of the unvaccinated people.
Like the author of this article Ezra Klein wrote, we should “respect people’s concerns and intelligence” and “admit times when the medical system has failed us before”. Thus, the United States of America, a country that values democracy, cannot force people to get the shot. However, this is also where the issue lies. Rules are designed to protect the life of the majority who follows, just like any other basic rules like wearing a seat belt, etc. And the same applies to vaccination - if you are unvaccinated, you are putting your family, and friends at risk.
It is impossible for every citizen in the USA to get vaccinated with the nature of humanity. However, the government should do its best to persuade people to get vaccinated, whether through funds or mandate.
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"Who Made Your Clothes?"
I come from a long line of factory workers. It's not exactly the most glamorous legacy: I remember being so excited to tell my Kindergarten class that my parents made clothes like the ones on their back, expecting oohs and ahs but instead receiving looks of disgust and sympathy.
For however long factories existed in Vietnam, my family has worked in them. I grew up hearing stories about how my great-aunt went into labor while transforming yarn into fabric, about how my grandma broke her finger in a machine that bound stacks of paper into books. Reading this article, I saw my own family members in the workers. I saw my aunt in S, who was beaten for requesting water. I saw my grandma in Waheed, who worked long hours despite of her injuries in order to feed her 13 children. I saw my dad in Seak Hong, who worked all day and night with dreams of moving to the US and finishing high school.
The article showcases the true cost of fast fashion, that the low prices come with a huge ethical cost. Growing up, even though we didn't have much money, my parents never shopping fast fashion, deeming the exceedingly low prices "too good to be true". Most of my clothes were hand-sewn by my mother or secondhand. I was taught to see the person behind every piece of clothing, the long strenuous hours behind every stitch.
My family story isn't exactly glamorous, it's a story of determination, hardship and hope. I'm the daughter of factory workers, and I'm proud of it.
What Do Police Know About Teenagers? Not Enough.
The fall semester is coming, however, my uncle's family is still in a dreadful mess. My cousin was rejected by all of the best high schools in the city, even if his grades fully met their requirements just because he had been detained for fighting. To be fair, my cousin is not a bad person, he fought with others due to being provoked and bullied on campus. Unfortunately, the reason did not prevent him from being detained, which cast an eternal shadow on his life.
From “What Do Police Know About Teenagers? Not Enough” I learned that some states in the U.S. have set up a training session for police officers on understanding the minds of teenagers to help them focus on detaining the right kids at the right time for the right reasons, which has indeed reduced the arrest rate of teenagers.
I have to admit that I envy this training course. In contrast, the Chinese people know much less about teenagers, whose misbehavior and psychological problems have not been paid enough attention not only by the police but also by the whole society. A child who has done bad behavior is not necessarily bad, more often, he needs education and guidance rather than just detention. For the police, they detained one person, while for the detained person, his life may be darkened. My cousin is not understood, but I hope one day Chinese teenagers like him can be treated with tolerance.
“Why People Are So Awful Online”
"About 1000 people are trapped in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, most of them are patients. Help them, please."
“My grandparents who live at No.5, Wenhua Road Street, Jinshui District have lost contact and are in urgent need of help.”
……
During the flood in Henan Province last month, I reposted many such help messages on Weibo every day. Then these messages were reposted by others, and sometimes the reposting volume can reach thousands. As a blogger with nearly 100,000 fans, I usually use my account to worship stars, but when the flood came, it was utilized to help victims get aid faster. Meanwhile, I have also seen internet users of different ages, ideologies, and cities come together for humanity to fight against the disaster in an unprecedented way.
In this article, Roxane Gay says that she doesn’t enjoy most social media anymore because people attack each other and make some malicious remarks wantonly, which makes her angry. After leaving social media, she gains more happiness.
My experience is different. I meet like-minded friends on social media. We worship the same star, talk about our favorite books, and share our life experiences. In the event of assisting the victims in Henan, we stood together to send our care and love, which has indeed saved many people from death. I am very grateful to social media, on which I know many brilliant people shining on each other like stars in the night sky.
As a Gen Z who practically lived online for the past year, I have fallen out with many things I once liked. Tiktok? Deleted because the once enjoyable and additictive contents were veering off into territories that made me scared for my privacy. Instagram? Deleted because I kept seeing the people I follow utilize BLM as a method to gain popularity. Stressed out from school, I also actively participated in fandoms as an escapism method. Well, that got tiring too because of insults thrown at creators for being homophobic or racist for not doing it the "right" way. Then there's cancel culture and people cancelling cancel culture, and, well, it's ridiculous.
So, I can relate with "Why People Are So Awful Online" by Roxane Gay. She's right in that even though many people aim to utilize social media as a way of activism, the Internet likes blowing things out of proportion. However, Gay forgets that we make our own choices; we control how we respond to content.
Block who you want to block, curate what you want to see, cut the toxicity out. In real life, things are easier to handle because there are just so many people you know and meet and less anonymity. However, like life, as soon as it feels like a certain group is dragging down my mental health, I leave and move on. The Internet taught me one lesson and it's that the most annoying voices will be the one that's most heard. Here, in the wild, you must need to improvise, adapt, overcome.
“Who decides what a Champion Should Wear?”
The first time I showed someone a video of my figure skating competition, they breezed right past my performance and commented on the shortness of my dress.
It was also the last time.
My 10-year-old self was simply proud of a great skate, confident while spinning and twirling about in my brand new dress. However, that singular comment completely invalidated my achievement, pushing the focus onto the body of a child.
Female athletes have struggled against the dress code in their respective sports for decades. From wearing more to protect modesty, to wearing less for a wider range of motion, there seems to be no neutral territory without criticism from the world. Vanessa Friedman narrows this thoroughly debated issue down to a simple idea. Choice.
Athletes deserve the right to choose the uniform they deem suitable for themselves for their best performance. The German women’s gymnastics team chose to wear the uncommon long-legged unitards at the Tokyo Olympics, promoting the freedom of choice and protesting the sexualization of their sport. Their message was spread across the world, inspiring millions, myself included, to feel confident in what we choose to wear.
This competitive season, I designed my own dresses, each one dazzling, adorned with sparkles, and made uniquely for comfort. But this time, the star of the show won’t be my dress, it’ll be my performance.
"As Hikers Vanish, These Mountains Hold Tight to Their Mysteries"
Tall tales around campfires in Australia elude to a mysterious figure known as the "Button Man", a character seemingly responsible for the disappearances of several hikers in the regions. These disappearances are anything but natural. This is why this article caught my attention.
Deer carcasses strewn around a campsite burned to the ground built the story of the vanishing of Russell Hill and Carol Clay. I was instantly intrigued by this story, as well as the numerous possibilities hinted to by the article. Did they stumble into the wrong group of people? Or did they go to the extreme and fake their disappearance to run away together?
As someone who has done a lot of camping in my life, I rarely camp with less than a few other friends. A lot of times we do not run into many others, which makes the feeling of running into the wrong person more ominous. Fortunately there's strength in numbers.
But a string of misfortune seems to follow hikers in the area, dating back to over 100 years ago. Several theories surround a double murder, which still haunts locals, bringing the Button Man into the story. His real intentions are unclear, but his rumored shady behaviors could scare anyone away from the region.
This article was intriguing to me from the perspective of someone who spends a fair amount of time in the outdoors. The mystery is extremely puzzling, perhaps even just a coincidence. Or is it something else?
“A Memoir of Pretending to See”
This article talks about a book called “Blind Man’s Bluff” which is a memoir written by James Tate Hill, a man who tried to hide his blindness. We learn from the article that in the book, and in his life, Hill tried to hide his disability in an attempt to fit in. He never asked for help, and would go out of his way to come across as everyone else. He would listen to books on tape, and then buy the book so it looked like he read it. Some things he did to hide his difference were even dangerous. He didn’t walk with a cane and would cross the street without help, despite not being able to see traffic.
While I’m sure there are very few people who are in the same situation as J.T. Hill, his thinking is not rare at all and is something I have observed often before. People tend to hide large parts of themselves in order to fit in. People are so scared of being labeled as ‘different’ or having people treat them differently that they choose to keep things to themselves. Whether this is something as big as a disability or something like a hobby or interest that makes them happy, almost everyone has something that they keep secret. According to the article, the book doesn’t portray Hill as a very happy person and I think that this is an important takeaway and another commonality between people in similar situations. If you hide parts of yourself and force yourself to conform, you will never be truly happy.
What if Humans Just Can’t Get Along Anymore?
Each time I turn on my tv all I see is a world of anger and disagreement. Political parties can’t seem to ever find a middle ground propelling our nation into divides stronger than ever before. Between climate change, Covid-19, social injustices, and the raw disagreement we see plastered on all media platforms, I truly have wondered if our society will ever get along, and seemingly so did Farhad Manjoo as he addresses this in his opinion piece “What if Humans Just Can’t Get Along Anymore?”
His question, surely a shared one to many today, forces us to look deeper into our nation’s past, reflecting on the choices people before us have made, questioning the decisions being made right now, and diving into future decisions that could help or hinder our nation’s collective harmony.
Surely our nation knows how to work together when they need to, we saw first hand how during a global pandemic vaccines became widely available. But upon looking at this scenario in specific, the problem was not the cooperation of the minority, but rather the majority. Even with the science and technology, people on opposing sides can’t or rather don’t want to trust. Trust that for once, we, as humans, could fathom the possibility of the welfare of people who may not share the same opinions and ideas. Because I truly believe that it is not our differences that divide, it is the incapability to coexist or seek compromise and collaboration with each other.
What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?
Some say that death is not when your heart stops beating but when no one remembers you anymore. If that is the case, the information age effectively solved this problem by making you an AI after death. Many companies will use the data they collected during your lifetime to shape your “afterlife” as a chatbot or a hologram. For example, let’s just talk about machine learning. Various apps sell our information to other organizations to personalize ads and search results. In addition, phones and other devices can record our online activities and voices without us even knowing. So, what happens to them after you die?
If your family wants to remember you by making you a chatbot, the company will probably use the data they collected to create it. Well, if you’re dead, you can’t say no, even if that means violating your privacy. The article mentions countless holograms and A.I. chatbots using the voices of the deceased. It is disturbing that those voices are manipulated to make voice recordings that are probably recorded without the person’s consent. I believe the company should discuss with the customer what data they should use. Technology has always shaped our lives; after reading this article, I believe it will shape our afterlives too.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/26/sports/olympics/philippines-gold-medal.html
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a dark cloud over the Philippines in the past two years. Hidilyn Diaz’s victory served as a ray of sunshine for the Filipino people. The entire Philippine nation has been jubilant ever since the news has spread that Hidilyn Diaz, a weightlifter, bagged a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
The Philippines is a developing country and hardly has any globally renowned athletes. Diaz’s accomplishments mark a significant achievement in Filipino history. It gives hope to the Filipino people, especially those who have been suffering because of the pandemic.
You may think that her illustrious career has always been filled with ups in fact, she also had her downs. In 2012, she sustained an injury that left her mentally and physically drained. Quitting weight lifting, though, didn’t seem to be an option, “It was just survival,” she said.
Being an athlete and a Filipino, I am immensely proud of what Hidilyn Diaz has accomplished in the Olympics. I am also thrilled because of the pride it has brought to all Filipinos. She inspires us to strive for greatness and hopefully someday, bring pride to the Philippine nation as well. Through her historic Olympic run, there is an underlying message. It became more obvious to me that through perseverance and dedication, I can be great in my own way, and each of us can be an inspiration to others.
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@Raphael Llanos Dee, I agree. Hidilyn Diaz's victory inspired countless Filipino's to continue to strive with this unfortunate pandemic which is still going on. Continue to write great pieces! You have the Filipino people's support!
I started dancing ballet when I was three years old, and haven’t stopped. In the past twelve years, I’ve come across many challenges, light and heavy, the heaviest being my weight. I’ve always been on the underweight side and I once even got a low score on my PE physical exam because I didn’t weigh enough; yet apparently, even that isn’t enough for a dancer.
My ballet teacher had euphemistically told me to “get skinnier” more than once. Whenever I look up “ballerina,” all I see is skinny dancers having the “right” amount of muscle to make their body shape and outline really “ballet-like.”
With everything around me telling me that I need to be skinny to be a dancer, I eventually believed it. It even caused me to become somewhat embarrassed to say that I dance, even though it’s one of my favorite things to do.
In “What Is a Ballet Body?” Gia Kourlas describes several dancers’ experiences with weight. Lauren Lovette questioned whether she was “really working on being a better dancer” or “just trying to starve and get skinnier.” Kathryn Morgan’s body was “constantly criticized,” even after explaining that she has a health condition. Furthermore, roles were “promised and then taken away” from her.
Luckily nowadays, more pictures and videos of healthier-looking dancers are appearing on social media, and dancers that used to track their calories every day have shed their fears.
When I say I dance now, more people ask me to do splits or a turn, instead of saying “Oh really?”
Like Shivali, I am a hairy girl. I feel uneased when wearing anything that would expose my limbs in public. I admit I do fall prey to insecurity about my own look. I keep wondering if my unshaved arms make me appear a bit careless or even sloppy, thus compromising the image of the flawless femininity that is impossible to maintain.
In East Asia, females are expected to wear full makeup at workplace, which inevitably inflicts a daily chore of plastering layers of powders on one's face. If one happens to be in a rush and dashes into the office without makeup, she might be judged by her peers as "unprofessional." Such a fixation on appearance is so deeply entrenched that the Japanese fashion magazines commonly include makeup guidance to schoolgirls.
While makeup and hair-removing are relatively harmless, cosmetic plastic surgeries might entail irreparable health consequences. Procedures on face, breast, and abdomen have an overall rate of 2% to cause hematoma or infection. Nevertheless, many parents in Korea and China offer their daughters double eye-lid surgery as a happy adulthood gift. Plus, reckless attempts to lose weight often involve dieting or fasting, which lead to various eating disorders such as anorexia.
I believe women, like all the other genders, are humans, not mass-produced barbie dolls nor artistic figures like Ophelia and Galatea. There shouldn't be a single standard for beauty, and the natural state of the female body should be celebrated, unshaved or not.
“‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years”
I heard this news only a few days ago. “Arthur” was such a wonderful show with its lessons of empathy, inclusion, and kindness. It’s no surprise that it has won so many awards.
Children’s television is so important. Children learn everything from only what they see around them. When their parents place them in front of the TV in the morning, they are actually enabling all sorts of learning, even for themselves, if they’d just look up.
Children need to learn about science and language and math and art and history. And kindness. Children need to learn all about kindness. I don’t say that because I think young kids lack kindness in any way, but it seems there are adults who have missed a few crucial lessons. Maybe they never watched PBS.
This news makes it feel as though my childhood is over for good. When I was younger, I desperately wished to grow up, so I was excited to stop watching “Curious George” and “Martha Speaks,” despite how much I liked them. But now I wish I had cherished those times before school a bit more. I had lessons right in front of me the whole time, not just the kind that I’d one day learn in school, but life lessons that taught me to be kind to others and to not judge by what I saw. My memories of “Arthur” are fleeting, but they make one thing clear: every day of my childhood was a good day to learn something new.
“The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time”
Alone. Yet another day I woke up to my 7:10 alarm painfully alone. I signed in for attendance by simply grabbing my phone on my bedside table. One click and I was “present”. As I joined the Google meet, I knew it would be just another six hour day of staring at icons while my teachers slowly gave up trying to teach.
In the article “The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time”, the authors, Ben Casselman and Ella Koeze, instantly discussed loneliness. On a normal day in the pandemic, people spent on average almost 7 hours alone, not counting sleeping hours. “It was a year of profound loneliness” that changed most people for the worst. It is not humane to spend that much time alone each day for months on end.
As the pandemic comes to a slow end people have begun to hang out with their friends again and spending less and less time alone. We do not know if this pandemic will ever be over or if it will bring us into lockdown again, but what I do know is that loneliness will not be an option. I will not give into the statistics that COVID-19 has promised us.
‘Sex Talks’ Should Start Earlier Than You Think
I used to think that sex was taboo, something that should never be discussed, and something that must be done to reproduce. When I was very young I asked my parents how I was born, and they told me that I was picked from a trash can.
But does avoiding talking about sex truly benefit for teenagers? The less sex education a country has, the greater the probability of rape in that country. In China, countless women are sexually harassed every year, and in the past few months, there have been vicious incidents in which famous singers have raped several underage girls.
In fact, the lack of sex education has led to ignorance, crime, and prejudice. Boys are not taught to control themselves and girls are not taught to protect themselves. The saddest part is that the whole society has a pathological stigma attached to sex, resulting in many girls who have been sexually assaulted dare not speak for themselves for fear of being regarded as heresy.
Sex is neither humiliation nor inappropriate. Our body is born with the instinct of sexual pleasure. Understanding it and using it wisely is the real job of humanity. Inserting a penis into the vagina is not only for reproduction but also for pleasure and passion. Even homosexuality, heterosexuality, and masturbation are common parts of human life and should not be deified or discriminated against. Such enlightenment took me a long time, but I ended up saying no to my own deeply held beliefs.
“Simone Biles Doesn’t Need a Gold Medal to Win”
The women’s gymnastics team finals of the Tokyo Olympic Games are on TV: US team leader Simone Biles lost her balance in the air when she finished the vaulting movement. More surprisingly, Biles announced her withdrawal from the game.
“Did such a small mistake frustrate her?!” My dad cried out incomprehensibly while watching the live show with me.
Not only my dad and I, but many people didn't seem to support her decision. On Twitter, Buskerk of the New York Times was the first to attack Biles. He released a video of American gymnast Kerri Strug in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic, who took the last jump after an ankle injury, winning the gold medal for the US.
“Simone Biles Doesn’t Need a Gold Medal to Win” by Lindsay Crouse explained Biles' choice. Biles quitted because she recognized her limits. In the trade-off, she chose her physical and mental health, rather than being a competing machine for the gold medal. It demonstrates a departure from the traditional American narrative of gold medals which is eroding the spirit of sports.
Thanks to Mrs. Crouse, we get to see the contribution of Biles behind the screen. She pushed her limit, won the world championships with a kidney stone; she promoted the reform of the gymnastics industry after surviving the sexual assault by her team doctor Larry Nassar; she also promoted the development of gymnastics, cultivating the 20-year-old gymnast Jordan Chiles.
The Skateboarders Taking Over Are Among the Youngest Olympians in Tokyo
As the Tokyo 2020 Olympics come to an end, I believe all around the world have seen some perfect athletes who broke the Olympic record and to win the medal for his or her country. After reading this article, I was so impressed by these two 13 years old skateboard female athletes. One of them not only won the gold medal but also proved to the world that youth can also be competitive athletes. Their skills have amazed me. I have never thought of a 13 years old girl who can perform so perfectly and achieve a gold medal for her country. Her story was so inspiring. I believe after her story and achievements have been published to more people and more countries. Many youths will gain that courage and hope that one day they can stand in the Olympics to prove the world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/26/sports/olympics/skateboarding-skateboarders-tokyo-olympics.html
A Packed Schedule Doesn’t Really ‘Enrich’ Your Child
From the interest boxes I ticked at the age of six, that moment almost decided my future, shaping more than ten years of extracurricular classes. Like my peers, I spent time in extracurricular classes rushing to find my passion. Seeing Ms. Shankar’s words reminded me of the realness of these impulses.
As a Gen Z, it seems like I need to conquer tons of tasks in order to pass to adulthood. There was painting and calligraphy at age 7, so I didn't miss out on the prime time for brain development, passing the dance test before the age of 12 so that I have time to start learning Go Chess, all to facilitate my study.
All these activities were chosen while I barely said anything. I felt like I was in the center of a tornado funnel. I was moved around, but I didn't know where I was going, and no one seemed to care. While we have become accustomed to the tightly-managed schedule, the article gives an alternative way to consider our lives and shine a light on getting our voices back. To me, it’s a reminder that regardless of the pressure from society, we need time to take a deep breath and slow down. Especially as a 17-year-old who needs to confirm my major in college, those boring times are particularly important for me to reflect and explore myself.
As Ms. Shankar states, “kids might get bored but they will figure out.” We can make an impact by taking the first step: returning the voices back to all creative young minds.
Airtag saved my grandmother. My grandmother has Alzheimer's disease. She usually forgets her memory and does not recognize what is going on, and she goes out and goes missing sometimes, so it is very dangerous. Because of it, my father called the police and they barely found her. Therefore, my father gave a pendant, which has Airtag attached, to my grandmother. Therefore, it was possible to find my grandmother without others’ help. It was available to find my grandma with a phone only.
Observing someone inflicted with Alzheimer's can be frightening as I experienced a sad event in my apartment elevator. My neighbors have always been very friendly and I have known the grandmother, who lives with her daughter and grandchildren, since I was in elementary school. She used to be very active and would take her grandchildren everywhere but I saw less and less of her in the last few years. Then one day I stepped into the elevator and found my neighbor scratching at the elevator wall opposite the door and trying to open the wall like the entrance doors she had come in from. I realized that she didn't know how an elevator works. She assumed that since one side of the box she stepped into could open, she could go through the other side.
Apple AirTag Review: A Humble Tracker With Next-Generation Tech
AirTag saved my grandmother. My grandmother has Alzheimer's disease. She usually forgets her memory and does not recognize what is going on, and she goes out and goes missing sometimes, so it is very dangerous. Because of it, my father called the police and they barely found her. Therefore, my father gave a pendant, which has Airtag attached, to my grandmother. Therefore, it was possible to find my grandmother without others’ help. It was available to find my grandma with a phone only.
Observing someone inflicted with Alzheimer's can be frightening as I experienced a sad event in my apartment elevator. My neighbors have always been very friendly and I have known the grandmother, who lives with her daughter and grandchildren, since I was in elementary school. She used to be very active and would take her grandchildren everywhere but I saw less and less of her in the last few years. Then one day I stepped into the elevator and found my neighbor scratching at the elevator wall opposite the door and trying to open the wall like the entrance doors she had come in from. I realized that she didn't know how an elevator works. She assumed that since one side of the box she stepped into could open, she could go through the other side.
“China moves against private tutoring companies"
“We must reduce the burden on primary and secondary school students.” I have heard this slogan thousands of times. Finally, the central government has “diminished” those burdens. China has abandoned the booming tutoring industry in the name of reducing stress.
On the one hand, this prevents any corrupt tutoring institutions from providing inferior services to families. The way some companies use capital leverage puts unknowing parents’ money at risk. Yousheng corporation, which bankrupted last year, used risky leverage and lost its cash flow during the pandemic. As a result, parents could not get their money back, and some of them had borrowed to pay fees.
On the other hand, the policy keeps students from receiving additional education outside school. China wants to limit the number of students applying to non vocational schools. However, in public schools, some teachers, paid low salaries, are not as passionate as those in tutoring or private schools. In fifth grade, in public primary, my math teacher only paid attention to the talented and my English teacher had a terrible accent. The burden on students relates more to the poor educational system than tutoring institutions.
What might be helpful is the government paying more attention and money to public school teachers’ welfare, and developing its educational approach so that students can suffer less from the pressure of competing with each other.
"Facing Loss of Supporters, Cuomo Gains Attention From Prosecutors"
Amid the pandemic, many women have decided to tell their stories and share important details about one individual, Governor Andrew Cuomo. Earlier this year, we learned the truth that goes on behind closed doors.
Governor Cuomo now not only has to face the fact that he will have to resign as governor, but he may also be facing some criminal charges. Throughout the pandemic, Governer Cuomo always did what was best for the state of New York, which also benefitted the country. Governor Cuomo was on the right side of COVID-19, causing many to go against him. With these allegations coming into play, it is only enabling more people to doubt him and the work he has done for New York.
In conclusion, the world wants to get the truth. It should not be a one-sided conversation. There needs to be a vigorous and thorough investigation regarding this topic.
At the age of 82, Wally Funk made history by being the oldest person to travel to space. She stood out as the only female senior among the crew of American businessman Jeff Bezos’ much-anticipated flight to space. On July 20, 2021, she boarded a rocket that blasted into space, travelling 66 miles above the Earth’s surface. After safely landing with her crew, she said “I want to go again, fast.”
Space travel is associated with danger, adventure and possibilities. This made me follow Bezos’ historical flight into space with much interest and excitement. While I was reading the story, Funk, a gray-haired and slim woman caught my attention. Knowing that she just accomplished space travel, I later learned that 60 years ago, Funk trained as an astronaut and was at the top of her class as part of the “Project Mercury” program. But she and all the other women in the program never flew because of gender biases. Now decades later, she finally made it to space as a passenger on a rocket ship.
Funk’s experience not only is an inspiring story about fulfilling dreams, but also illustrates the progress that has been made in women’s rights and social status. Her participation in the mission shows that international businesses recognize the importance of women, and want to celebrate their contribution. Certainly, there will be more women travelling to space as passengers, astronauts and pilots in the future.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/20/science/bezos-blue-origin-space.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/opinion/andrew-cuomo-resign.html
This article from the New York Times opinion section caught my attention this week. In this article, The Editorial Board of the New York Times argues that Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York should resign. Perhaps he should have resigned after forcing nursing homes to take back infected COVID patients. Perhaps he should have resigned after the New York Attorney's General, a fellow Democrat found that the Cuomo administration undercounted nursing home deaths by thousands. Cuomo even admitted to misrepresenting nursing home deaths stating that he did so to prevent the Trump administration from using his state as a political weapon. These sexual harassment allegations only dig the governor into a deeper hole. It shows that he has no boundaries. That he and his base will continue to shift the blame onto Republicans and progressive Democrats who have been calling for his resignation since the nursing home scandal first broke. Many of his supporters likely didn't realize the depth of the nursing home scandal because of the immense power that the Cuomo Dynasty holds over the media and state politics. For example, it was none other than Cuomo's brother, a CNN anchor who defended him and downplayed both scandals on national television. The control the Cuomos have over the media is why he got away with it for so long. If Cuomo wants to show New York that he cares about anyone he should resign.
“How to Calm Your Climate Anxiety”
In 2019, after finishing reading an article entitled The New Normal on New Scientist, I, for the first time, genuinely felt the anxiety about the future. 1.5℃ was the best we can manage to achieve, but without effective shifts, we will expect to witness a 4℃ increase in prospective cities. Later the year, I noticed an extreme warm winter and a disastrous typhoon in the summer in my own life. Today, worse still, the climate anxiety becomes a concerning phenomenon and a trend. Global warming takes its revenge on humans by affecting mental health unexpectedly.
Yes, indeed, the sea level rise, erosion, contamination of water, economic contraction, the problem of aggravating poverty and other frightening effects will take place inevitably. But having experienced the first anxiety, I kept it in mind that the optimum responses to these crises are to confront it, to know it and to reckon with it. And myself initiated a survey about the impacts the droughts had on the local environment. Now, this article motivates me to do further researches as I believe every little helps.
The last generation can disregard and discard the problem after tapping vast resources. But we can’t. We have to answer positively, taking our duties to make changes instead of adaptations. We are going to alter not only our minds but also what all are stemmed from, which are our ways of exploiting the nature, to finally meet the objective of global sustainable development.
A Day Filled With Noise, and a Silence They’ll Never Forget
In the middle of a long summer, the pandemic’s haze still covering the entire world, England was feeling unusually optimistic—after smashing every opponent in their way, their football team had finally made it to the Euro Cup finals. No matter where you went, you heard the same lyrics belted out from one pub or another: “it’s comin’ home / Football’s comin’ home.”
The excitement was palpable, even if you weren’t much of a football fan. But for diehard fans like myself, the anticipation was almost unbearable. I still remembered the last time England had come so close to glory, during the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia. I was in the stands, decked out in a lions kit, cheering at the top of my lungs, but my excitement turned out to be for nothing. Would this year be the same?
As it turned out, this year was even worse. When the final penalty shot was blocked, and with it England’s last, best hope for victory, the disappointment was immeasurable. The tournament changed everything, and nothing—we’re still waiting for football to come home.
Recently, I’ve been wondering why I continue to support the team that’s let me down countless times before. Is it loyalty? Or do I just enjoy suffering? In the end, I think the answer is neither of those. Victory may be sweet, but the waiting is often even sweeter. And on the day that that football finally comes home, I’ll know the wait was worth it.
"Live Performing Arts Are Returning to N.Y.C., but Not All at Once"
I spent the past nine years perfecting my craft in ballroom dancing, and I cannot wait to do so again. In the past year and a half, I’ve put aside my passion for dancing because of Covid. My personal conditions just didn’t allow me to continue: I couldn't meet my partner, I had no private studio, and I live with my grandparents.
So when I read the article “Live Performing Arts Are Returning to N.Y.C., but Not All at Once” I was once again ecstatic about continuing my form of art until I realized that I couldn’t. I understand the limitations and the restrictions that are the result of COVID-19, but I still wish that these restrictions weren’t introduced into the performing arts. And the problem with stages opening up slowly is that I, as a dancer, will miss my prime years in competing. In ballroom dancing, there are age categories that determine who you compete against during competitions. Prior to quarantine, I was a Junior 2 dancer with a year left in that category, but since then I wasn’t able to compete. I am currently in the Youth age category, and this restricts my dancing in many ways.
But I won't give up. When these stages and performances start expanding towards a greater number of people, I will be there to cheer fellow dancers on and perform for the audience. It is said that dancing is a form of expression, and I can’t wait to express my longing for dancing on stage when the time comes.
“‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years”
I felt crushed when I read that my favorite childhood show “Arthur” was ending after 25 years, as if my childhood was a wild stallion trotting away and I was desperately trying to hold on. Like many of my generation, I grew up with “Arthur”. It's the show that taught me everything — from friendships and bullying to green potato chips and Michelle Kwan. It's the show that I watched to calm myself before a hospital surgery; the show I watched so often that even my parents have the theme song permanently engraved in their heads.
Throughout the years, “Arthur” remained a huge part of my life. However, as I got older, the show became less of a funny cartoon and more of something I felt embarrassed of as I headed to middle school. Overhearing the conversations of what other kids deemed suitable shows, “Arthur” suddenly seemed so babyish. I was like a chameleon camouflaging itself to blend in: “Arthur? Yeah, that show is for little kids.”
Yet, as the article pointed out, I realize what made “Arthur” stand out from other children's shows is how it confronted issues in everyday life that were relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. So I shouldn’t be embarrassed to be a high schooler who still occasionally watches “Arthur”. With episodes ranging from school stress and sibling arguments to gay marriage and cancer; it's no wonder “Arthur” has resonated with me and a generation of kids still to this day.
"Wildfires Are Intensifying. Here’s Why, and What Can Be Done."
The other day I had noticed a slight haze to the sky and wondered what was going on until I realized it was the smoke from the Western wildfires. I was so fascinated at how big these fires had to be for the smoke to travel across a country that my mind was stuck on it all day. Then I look in the New York Times and right there is an article written on these exact fires I was wondering about so obviously I had to read it.
In said article was more information than I was looking for and got me thinking further about the way we go about defending ourselves from nature. I noticed that as humans we are very disconnected from nature and try to fight it too much rather than coexist with all of it's components. What I had just found was that in the way past there were methods used to suppress rather than combat wildfires and it ironically involved creating wildfires.
This method was used by Native Americans and they would intentionally burn forests at a controlled rate to lessen the chances of an even bigger fire occurring. Compared to our methods which involve stopping nature from taking it's course, this worked quite well. When we stop fires from spreading, that increases the forest density and amount of fuel a wildfire can use. This article got my attention because if even our air quality declined by so much from these wildfires, then I can't imagine how the west is doing.
I felt crushed when I read that my favorite childhood show “Arthur” was ending after 25 years, as if my childhood was a wild stallion trotting away and I was desperately trying to hold on. Like many of my generation, I grew up with “Arthur”. It's the show that taught me everything — from friendships and bullying to green potato chips and Michelle Kwan. It's the show that I watched to calm myself before a hospital surgery; the show I watched so often that even my parents have the theme song permanently engraved in their heads.
Throughout the years, “Arthur” remained a huge part of my life. However, as I got older, the show became less of a funny cartoon and more of something I felt embarrassed of as I headed to middle school. Overhearing the conversations of what other kids deemed suitable shows, “Arthur” suddenly seemed so babyish. I was like a chameleon camouflaging itself to blend in: “Arthur? Yeah, that show is for little kids.”
Yet, as the article pointed out, I realize what made “Arthur” stand out from other children's shows is how it confronted issues in everyday life that were relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. So I shouldn’t be embarrassed to be a high schooler who still occasionally watches “Arthur”. With episodes ranging from school stress and sibling arguments to gay marrige and cancer; it's no wonder “Arthur” has resonated with me and a generation of kids still to this day.
As a volunteer teacher at Baraka Library (a refugee center in Korea), reading the NYT article, “The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most,” provided context to my personal experiences. Sarah Mervosh writes that minority students have been the most “dramatically” impacted by the pandemic, showing “the steepest drops” in reading and math scores.
For someone who teaches refugee children, I found the experience particularly challenging. Ahmad, an 8-year-old Iraqi student, has left a marked impression. My conversations with him consist primarily of body language and eye contact, with our masks covering our mouths. Bright and playful, he enjoys learning through our one-on-one tutoring sessions. To help him virtually attend his classes at school, a few volunteers and I helped fundraise to purchase him a laptop.
According to Pedro Noguera, dean of USC’s Rossier School of Education, studies have demonstrated that “a personalized plan” and “one-on-one” intensive tutoring provides “one of the most effective ways to help students make up for academic gaps.” Reading this article has encouraged me to continue making strides with students like Ahmad. In turn, my interactions with him and his family have brought me greater awareness about the personal challenges refugee families in Korea face. In these times of tumult and racial hostility across the globe, attending my one-on-one classes at Baraka Library has provided me an avenue to promote intercultural exchange and understanding.
“With #MeToo case, China Takes a Swipe at Celebrity Obsession”
When I first saw Ms.Du’s essay on Weibo, I immediately showed it to my best friend. After reading the post together, we both fell silent. Moments later, she finally managed to say: “I hope justice will soon bring him down.”
For me, I was overwhelmed by anger and sorrow. I respect her bravery, but I also couldn’t imagine how much pain lie underneath her act. In the following days, we followed the event attentively, not missing any updates. Being girls ourselves, we feel that this is the only support we were able to provide for Ms.Du. We believe in her, as we believe in our sisters, mothers and girlfriends.
It was in July 2018 that I first got to know #MeToo, and after that, I’ve said the exact same sentence as my friend for many times: “I hope justice will soon bring him down.”
After three years, have things gone better here? I asked myself when hearing about Wu’s detention. Just as the article has noted, government responded so swiftly is largely due to Wu not being part of the party establishment. His identity as a former Korean boy group singer with foreign citizenship has made him an easy target, and similar accusations against other men in power remain unresolved.
Despite this, I see hope. After Ms.Du’s post, I see more and more people, just like my friend and I, are feeling angry, are feeling that something needs to be changed. It is these emotions that will eventually lead to something truly extraordinary.
Women are having fewer babies because they have more choices
How I was born was kind of a coincident. My mom told me that, despite traditional Chinese beliefs, having children was never part of her life plan before she and dad moved to Canada. After all, who would like to spend tremendous time and money on little troublemakers? However, her mindset completely altered after living a few years in Toronto. My mom envied the elegant women wandering in the park, with a baby stroller in hand and a smile on face. Contradictory to the stress often met in China, it seemed quite easy to raise a child in her new environment. After a brief discussion with dad, she chose to have kids so that life could be as what Jill Filipovic described in her article Women are having fewer babies because they have more choices,"a new landscape of opportunity.”Thanks to the rather“reckless”decision, I could now explore the wonder of the world.
“Women are having fewer babies because they have more choices.”The choice of motherhood not only depends on work stress and economy, but also social environment and culture. The supporting society with less burden for kids encouraged my mom to consider an alternative path, offering her endless possibilities. It’s true that many women now have the power to choose, but I hope“many”could soon turn into“all”with the aid of social revolution. Blessed with the gift of life,I’m determined to fight for my innate freedom alongside with billions of women all over the world.
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"Inked Mummies, Linking Tattoo Artists With Their Ancestors"
Whether in the subway or the shopping mall, I see tattoos decorating the skin of strangers around me almost anywhere I go—animals, plants, pistols, black armbands, and abstract designs of every conceivable shape and color adorning the arms, legs, hands, and necks of those around me.
Once, I asked my mother if I can get “never a failure / always a lesson” tattooed on my arm, just like Rihanna. My mom looked as if I’d slapped her. She told me that tattoos are a lie sold to the young and naïve, who think that they’ll always treasure the message but usually end up regretting it.
For a while, I believed her—at least, until I read the article “Inked Mummies, Linking Tattoo Artists With Their Ancestors.” Previously, I’d thought of tattoos as a form of personal expression, but as Ms. Jacobsen points out, tattoos can be a “selfless” way of connecting with a wider group, or even an entire culture. The article taught me that people have been modifying and marking their skin for thousands of years, and that these marks represent some of the most permanent and revealing traces of an otherwise forgotten history. I doubt those mummies would regret their decision to tattoo themselves with designs that are still providing inspiration to strangers hundreds of years later.
While reading the article, I ran my fingers across my arm, imagining the possibilities, the connections waiting to be inked indelibly into my skin.
"It’s Never Too Late to Learn How to Swim"
“Come on, jump in! You’ll be fine,” I yelled to my mother, who was standing, shaking, by the edge of the pool. She wasn’t cold—just deathly afraid. By far the oldest person at the pool, surrounded by gurgling toddlers and giggling adolescents, my mom was finally learning to swim.
Actually, we were learning together—but it was only my mom who was out of her depth. I’d successfully managed to make it to the deep end after just a few lessons, but my mom remained stranded in the shallows. As the years progressed, we cycled through instructor after instructor, and although my stroke improved immensely, not one of them could make her feel comfortable in the water.
At times, I felt embarrassed by her lack of progress. Once or twice, watching her flail, I’ll confess that I even laughed at her needless fear. But reading this article helped change my attitudes. The effort that Srivastava put in to learn swimming at age 68 is heroic and inspiring—I hope I have the courage to try something so new and so terrifying when I’m that age. The article also helped me realize that I may bear some responsibility for my mom’s feelings of shame and helplessness. Instead of waiting impatiently for her to improve, I should have been cheering her on the entire time. I can’t go back in time to change my actions, but I’m certain that I’ll act differently in the future. As the article shows, you’re never too old to try something new.
"The U.S Women Basketball Routed Australia to Reach the Semifinals"
On day 12 of Tokyo Olympics the U.S women basketball routed Australia to reach the semifinals Breanna Stewart scored 23 focuses to lead the United States to a 79-55 defeat of Australia in the ladies' b-ball quarterfinals in Saitama, Japan, drawing one stage nearer to the group's seventh continuous Olympic gold decoration. The Americans, who retaliated for an astounding misfortune to Australia pre-Olympic display game, will confront Serbia, the prevailing European hero, in the elimination rounds on Friday. Serbia beat China on Wednesday.
"I think the players examined their eyes that they would not like to return home,". The United States opened an important lead after the primary quarter, stretched out it to 21 focuses by halftime, pushed it to 30 in the second from last quarter and never thought back. Brittney Griner added 15 focuses and 8 bounce back and A'ja Wilson had 10 focuses against Australia, the world's second-positioned group. The United States ran its Olympic series of wins to 53 straight games. The current year's group drives the Olympic competition in scoring, shooting rate, bounce back, helps and squares. Yet, it might have been persuaded more by a 70-67 loss against Australia in a warmup game last month in Las Vegas. They made an effort not to nag it, what occurred in Vegas, yet I think everyone got the reminder and we knew precisely what occurred."
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/27/business/economy/covid-parenting-work-time.html
It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since the beginning of the pandemic. As the time I spent at home increased, the way I spent my 24 hours changed — but for the better. In their article, Casselman and Koeze say that “young people were the only group to spend more time on personal grooming in 2020 — and the only group to spend less time working out.” However, I went in a different direction. Even though I belong in the demographic mentioned above, I would say that the way I spent my time differed greatly from what was described. I spent barely any time on my appearance, usually opting for the same sweatpants from the day before. However, there was an increase in attention to my mental and physical health. Somewhat subconsciously, as a way to cope with the situation in the world, I took up baking and exercising. If I was not experimenting with flour, milk, and sugar, I was holding a plank or a squat in my room. I attempted to be more productive and tried to finish my tasks earlier in the day, enabling me to do more. With less time spent cramming for tests and finishing projects, I was able to have a good and consistent sleep schedule and as a result, I was less tired and irritated in the mornings — which I originally thought was fake advertising by bed companies. The pandemic certainly changed the way I spent my 24 hours, but not in the way I expected.
“‘No One Is Safe’: Extreme Weather Batters the Wealthy World”
3 years ago, typhoon Mangkhut swept through Hong Kong abruptly. My family and I found ourselves trapped in an isolated house for days with only leftovers to eat. As time went on, hunger and restlessness filled my entire body. I survived; however, Hong Kong didn’t.
During the typhoon, companies were destroyed and the country collapsed, which brought regressions in both economy and technology. The author of this article said, “Disasters magnified by global warming have left a long trail of death and loss across much of the developing world.”. The destruction of Disneyland greatly reduced the economical benefits brought by tourism; the destruction of companies caused millions to be unemployed. In fact, Mangkhut brought nearly 9 billion yuan in losses to Hong Kong.
People are killing themselves. Over-deforestation, polluting of the world’s oceans, and population growth are all just a few of the culprits of global warming, which leads to various natural disasters. The more humans damage the Earth, the higher the possibility of their death.
We need to take action in protecting our environment. One way the government could help is by extending the subway to places that are distant from downtown, so people who live far away will drive cars less. Also, we should lessen our own CO2 emissions, for example, by planting more trees.
Powerful nature versus tiny humans — who will win?
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/us/the-end-of-summer.html
In our fast-paced twenty-first century, climate change has been the enemy of the environment of our Mother Earth. Of this unusual year of 2021, “extreme weather” has become a popular term as coldness, hotness, heavy rainfalls, floods in cities and deserts, tornadoes, and forest fires have been consistently ruining our Earth’s environment that has already been pretty vulnerable.
Last month, a hilarious rainfall hit the vast ground of Zhengzhou, China. For one day, the sky poured down the amount of rain of a usual year. Every scene was shocking: cars floated in the dirty yellow floods like boats in the sea; people were trapped in the subway with water constantly rising to sink them all; a man tried his best to rescue a woman. This unprecedented natural tragedy killed hundreds of people. My aunt, who was a citizen in Zhengzhou, told me: rain water ran into the two basement floors of her house; in her community, some residents raised fish in ponds of their courtyards. Due to the heavy rain, their fish were brought away by the runoff into the sewage system. The extreme rainfall in Zhengzhou caused irreversible damages to everyone lived there.
Those destructions are the ultimate costs of us humans who do not love our environment. The extreme weathers in this year of 2021 give us humans strong alerts to protect our environment for our descendants. Protect the environment of the Earth and don’t procrastinate!
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/us/the-end-of-summer.html
In our fast-paced twenty-first century, climate change has been the enemy of the environment of our Mother Earth. Of this unusual year of 2021, “extreme weather” has become a popular term as coldness, hotness, heavy rainfalls, floods in cities and deserts, tornadoes, and forest fires have been consistently ruining the Earth’s environment that has already been pretty vulnerable.
Last month, a hilarious rainfall hit the vast ground of Zhengzhou, China. For one day, the sky poured down the amount of rain of a usual year. Every scene was shocking: cars floated in the dirty yellow floods like boats in the sea; people were trapped in the subway with water constantly rising to sink them all; a man tried his best to rescue a woman. This unprecedented natural tragedy killed hundreds of people. My aunt, who was a citizen in Zhengzhou, told me: rain water ran into the two basement floors of her house; in her community, some residents raised fish in ponds of their courtyards. Due to the heavy rain, their fish were brought away by the runoff into the sewage system. The extreme rainfall in Zhengzhou caused irreversible damages to everyone lived there.
Those destructions are the ultimate costs of us humans who do not love our environment. The extreme weathers in this year of 2021 give us humans strong alerts to protect our environment for our descendants. Protect the environment of our Mother Earth and don’t procrastinate!
The moment I stepped into the shower, I saw a huge cockroach. As I screamed my way out of the shower, I suddenly felt an itchy tickle on my arm, as if the cockroach was crawling on my arm. Goosebumps immediately surfaced with violent scratching and even louder screams. However, the cockroach wasn’t actually on my arm.
The same itchiness and disgust also occur after seeing food scraps on the floor covered with squirming masses of ants, or when I see several bloodsucking ticks latched onto the skin of my dog. Every time, I feel as if the disgusting parasite is right on my skin, even when nothing is actually there. This false alarm annoys and scares me as I make a fool of myself for nothing. Why can’t I control my own feelings?
In the article ‘Ever Feel Your Skin Crawling? Maybe You Can Thank Evolution’, Dr. Kupfer answers this question by suggesting that itching and scratching is an evolutionary response to defend ourselves against ectoparasites. By showing his poor participants horrifying images such as ‘a nightmarish bed bug infestation, an infected arm lesion oozing pus and a clump of earwax as dark as an asteroid’, Dr. Kupfer proves that people are more likely to itch and scratch when watching ectoparasites, compared to pathogens, which elicit nausea and urges to vomit to prevent swallowing things that might contain pathogens.
So next time, when you feel something crawling on your skin, hold your scream first. Maybe it’s just your body doing its job to defend you.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/opinion/culture/simone-biles-just-demonstrated-a-true-champion-mind-set.html
Three years ago, when I played at our back in a football match, another defender of my team was injured since he ran headfirst and struck into the goal post while tackling an opponent's shot.
I blamed myself because I was closer to the rival but didn't try as hard as he did. After the game, I went to see my teammate and said "I thought the midfield could intercept the attack of the opposite striker".
For a long time after that, I shivered with fear and remorse. I was perturbed every practice. Finally, I gave up. Football was not suitable for me, I thought. It’s for those who are willing to persistently give their all in.
But after I saw what Simone Biles said “At the end of the day, we’re human, too, so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do,” I realized that we should first embrace who we are and then explore the limits of ours.
Simone Biles, as an elite athlete, has the courage to admit her weaknesses despite confronting the pressure from external expectations. Admittedly, her bravery lit up my fears, and she gave me the opportunity to re-examine my past.
Inspired by this article, I now can embrace the better version of myself：I could figure out my limitations and I could try my best without dependence on others.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/30/learning/summer-reading-contest-week-8-what-got-your-attention-in-the-times-this-week.html
Three years ago, when I played at our back in a football match, another defender of my team was injured since he ran headfirst and struck into the goal post while tackling an opponent's shot.
I blamed myself because I was closer to the rival but didn't try as hard as he did. After the game, I went to see my teammate and said "I thought the midfield could intercept the attack of the opposite striker".
For a long time after that, I shivered with fear and remorse. I was perturbed every practice. Finally, I gave up. Football was not suitable for me, I thought. It’s for those who are willing to persistently give their all in.
But after I saw what Simone Biles said “At the end of the day, we’re human, too, so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do,” I realized that we should first embrace who we are and then explore the limits of ours.
Simone Biles, as an elite athlete, has the courage to admit her weaknesses despite confronting the pressure from external expectations. Admittedly, her bravery lit up my fears, and she gave me the opportunity to re-examine my past.
Inspired by this article, I now can embrace the better version of myself：I could figure out my limitations and I could try my best without dependence on others.
“Priceless? Even Olympic Medals Can Be Had for the Right Price.”
My maternal uncle was a skilled judoka and participated in the 1998 Asian Games. He won a bronze medal which was spectacular but the honor wasn't enough to bypass mandatory military service and receive a lifetime pension like gold medalists. Unfortunately, he was seriously injured while in service and had to retire from judo. However, he had no other skills and had a hard time making a living. Jobless, he sold his medal for about $70. When I see him at family functions and he has a drink or two, he laments about that mistake. To him, it was priceless.
While my uncle’s medal does not compare to the value of Olympic medals, I was struck not by the prices of sold medals in this article, but by the line that “Dozens of former Olympians have resorted to selling their medals over the years. Some have cited financial hardships …” I also felt a pang in my heart when the auction executive stated that “Some collectors will gladly settle for bronze … As a collector, you can start with bronze if you don’t have a lot of money.”
Athletes are on the clock with only a few precious years when they are in their prime. A few become stars and are financially stable while the majority are retired from their sport by their late 20’s with few career options ahead of them. As we enjoy the 2020 Olympics on TV right now, let’s not just celebrate those who medal but also every other Olympian out there fighting for their dream.
Why Vaccinated People Are Getting ‘Breakthrough’ Infections
Owing to the mounting infection rate around the globe and the recurrence of pandemic in China, anxiety among the public aggravates. Soon, China has approved the right to vaccinate teenagers. The first dose of vaccine I received yesterday seemed to offer me a safety net. Except for sleepiness, there were no other side effects. Yet, most of the confirmed people have been vaccinated, which coincides with the case that people who were vaccinated at the wedding were infected again. Does this mean that the vaccine is useless and unsuccessful?
Of course not, before we haste to conclusion, we need to know the following facts. First, breakthrough infections are still relatively uncommon and it’s a pity that many people have refused vaccination arbitrarily. Secondly, delta (newly discovered mutant virus) has affected prior vaccination due to its aggressively contagious nature. Lastly, vaccines’ potency is related to one’s physical state. “Seatbelts reduce risk, but we still need to drive carefully,” vaccines are the same thing.
Thus, a question worth pondering arises: How to motivate people to get vaccinated？Realizing the benefits must be the foremost consideration. Both individuals and the herd can be protected from serious cases. Meanwhile, material and economic incentives are necessary too.
Lastly, several reminders! Wearing masks, maintaining social distance, ensuring ventilation, and avoiding high-risk areas!
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/sports/simone-biles-self-care.html?searchResultPosition=1
I could empathize when gymnast Simone Biles, whom I have always respected, announced she was withdrawing from the Olympics for physical and psychological reasons. I have been practicing ballet since my childhood. During elementary school, I had an opportunity to perform in Europe with the school dance team. I put a lot of time and effort into it. In the weeks before my departure, I was too stressed and had been practicing too much. In one of my last rehearsals before departure, I sprained my ankle. With great regret, I chose to withdraw from this performance to recover from my injury.
I understand Biles' decision. The spirit of "never give up" and "keep doing" is deeply rooted in the hearts of athletes and the public. Therefore, many athletes' mental and physical struggles are ignored, leading to more severe injuries during training or performances due to this tendency to play through injury. As a famous American gymnast, Biles had the pressure of competition and the crowd on her shoulders. But her "No" is a sign that she is concerned about the importance of all athletes' physical and mental health and is pressuring the Tokyo Olympics to take their rights seriously.
Biles's withdrawal was not an act of weakness. Her action emphasizes athletes' self-awareness, makes society pay more attention to athletes' rights and health, and encourages people to protect their mental health.
"Mississippi asks the Supreme Court to overrule Roe v. Wade."
I have never been more aware of the threats I face as a young woman.
With the brutal murders of eight women in Atlanta back in March, I am reminded that we women are physically and sexually threatened on a daily basis. Now, increased protests against a woman's right to choose by many who are also unabashedly clear about their refusal to wear masks (and remember, a lot of anti-masker anti-abortionists cite “my body, my choice” as a defense) remind me that we face systemic and social attacks on our bodily autonomy as well.
As Ms. Northup asserts in “Mississippi asks the Supreme Court to overrule Roe v. Wade,” written by Adam Liptak, an attack on Roe v. Wade is an attack on all pro-abortion policies that have been passed since the Supreme Court decision, and an attack on abortion rights is an attack on a woman’s bodily autonomy.
Personally, I don’t know what I would do if I had to make the choice between abortion or bringing a child I cannot support into an unsupportive world. What’s important to me, however, is that I have a choice—that I won’t be forced into a position that may be to the detriment of me and the baby.
I’m lucky to live where my bodily autonomy is fairly secure, but many women don’t have that luxury.
So, in the words of those who are somehow both anti-maskers and anti-abortionists and in support of the women who are facing imminent risk of losing their bodily autonomy, “my body, my choice.”
"Who Decides What a Champion Should Wear?"
Growing up I was told oceans are placed between men and women. Placed by mother nature herself in all her tenderness and love. That love was what caused my Chinese household to bury the voices of women beneath floorboards.
Because of this, I believed for years that the difference between my brother and I, my father and mother, was decided by the systems of a planet set in course long before I arrived: like scripture passed down from generation to generation.
What good is scripture without pen?
I read news like such of strong, beautiful women being fined for not wearing tiny spandex shorts. Women in the year 2021 literally fined for not compromising for a society that has conditioned them to learn how to compromise.
As I read this article on the couch, I felt empty and heavy at the same time. Gravity, like inequality, is equally merciless on women, shoving me down into the seams of our furniture. Callouses on my hands from years of practicing piano as elegant women should. Back sore from having to sit up so straight there is a line plunged from my skull down to toes. I had never wanted to speak as much as I did then, clinging to that line.
Every day I learn about other champion women changing the world. Dear scriptures, I don’t want to change the world. I just want to be a part of a world that is changing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/style/modern-love-she-put-her-unspent-love-in-a-cardboard-box.html?searchResultPosition=22
The Shape Of Love
A few years ago, I left my hometown to attend boarding school in Nanjing. It was the first time I’d ever lived away from my parents, and I felt helpless—not only because I had to figure out how to wash my clothes myself, but because I didn’t have anyone to share my complaints and triumphs with at the end of the day.
Once, on the phone with my mom, she must have noticed my emotions, because from then on she decided to visit me every night. And true to her promise, every night after school, I always saw her car headlights pulling through the school gates, whether the night was crystal clear or clogged with rain and fog. She would hang out with me, get food with me, spend the night in a hotel, and in the morning drive back for work.
As the article states, a mother loves “fiercely, extravagantly, wildly,” and it’s definitely true of the love my mother showed me. Love expresses itself not only in words, but in actions. Even though I may not have realized how selfless my mother was at the time, I’m eternally grateful for her love and devotion now. Moreover, the article helped me remember that I should do more than feel grateful—I should express it while I still have a mother to express it to. She may be small and shy, but she’s my shield, and I’ll always remember to never let her forget it.
Could Gen Z Free the World From Email?
When people hear the words “high school,” they might think of crumpled-up notes passed covertly back and forth while the teacher’s not looking. One thing they definitely don’t think of, is email: endless messages clogging up my inbox on the daily. I’m not even a senior, but I already feel utterly drained by this mode of communication, which I fear will follow me around for the rest of my life.
Once, a teacher emailed to tell us that he was moving an assignment deadline up by a few days. Unfortunately, predictably, the email ended up in my spam folder. I missed the updated due date, failed the assignment, and took a hit grade-wise. Even in less extraordinary situations, email still feels positively ancient—I can’t count (or don’t want to) the hours and hours I’ve lost waiting for someone to notice my message and send one back. By the time I receive a reply, I feel like a pile of bones drying out in a tomb somewhere. Then I shake it off, press “reply,” and start typing out my response, waiting for the cycle to start all over again.
Things have gotten so bad that I’ve decided to choose my career based mainly on the likelihood that I’ll never have to send an email again: right now, I’m leaning towards film, but I’m open to other, newer alternatives that might come my way.
This article not only reminds me of email’s many downsides, but makes me pray for a day when we can all collectively sign-off for good.
"What if Humans Just Can’t Get Along Anymore?"
Reading the article, I am standing right in the line to take the nucleic acid test. “What is the institution needed to maximize humanity’s collective power?” The columnist asks. I look up from my phone. With hundreds of people, most of whom have gotten their vaccine, volunteering to take coronavirus tests, I guess I have the answer. Maybe an institution like my country has - an institution China has.
Staying at home for almost two weeks straight without going anywhere except into the community to get tests, I’m currently in quarantine with my family. To my knowledge, almost all of my friends have been living the exact same life like I do: quarantine, voluntary quarantine.
The start of our life like this is simple: nine infected airport workers got noticed in the early summer. And that was a true bomb, to the government and to the people. It was immediately said by the institution: “Stay home, for COVID's sake.” All of a sudden, empty streets, vacant neighborhoods, quiet strain stations... People stay at home, forgoing their freedom to live a life they want.
This is what happens in the communist land of China. In barely two weeks, the number of infections dropped to only 4. Clear, there’s literally no limitation for humanity’s collective power. Maybe this answers the other question raised in the article: We ARE capable as a species to address the direst problem. The question is: do you choose to do so?
“What Volunteer Work Would You Most Like to Do?”
“One more shoot! One more shoot!"
I gladly handed him the ball once more. Make or miss, I knew he would ask again for just “one more shoot”, and understandably so; it was his first time shooting a basketball. Carefully, I positioned him directly perpendicular to the hoop. Entitled with down syndrome, the 9-year-old basketball enthusiast was all the more determined to sink the ball through the net. I was all the more determined to make it happen.
In this article, Schulten asks readers, “What has been your favorite volunteer job? Why?”. For me, the answer is clear-cut. As someone who enjoys playing and watching an array of sports (most favorably the game of basketball), being a volunteer at community organizations aiming to support physically-challenged and differently-abled youth through recreational sports has been especially rewarding; even when I’m feeling down or stressed, I find myself in a grin seeing their smiles bloom every time a basketball is shot, a soccer ball is kicked, and a baseball is thrown. For that, I’m thankful.
Luckily, 12 shots, 11 rebounds, 1 ambitious child and 1 exhausted but committed student volunteer later, the mission was complete. Nothing but net. Jumping in joy with a face brightened with excitement, he sprung to hand me a relieved high-five. With perseverance, guidance, and belief, his day was made. Being a volunteer has taught me how memorable such moments can be, and for that, I’m thankful.
"12-Hour Days, Six Days a Week"
“Study harder!” is a phrase many Asian children hear from their parents—I was no exception. Young people are expected to do more and more every day. Starting from a young age, I was subjected to various Saturday classes, clubs, and camps. My schedule in elementary school was often filled to the brim. I dutifully played two sports, juggled advanced classes, and took two languages, all because of my parents. They were trying to ensure I had a successful life by going to a good college and having a successful career.
However, having good grades and going to college no longer guarantees middle-class prosperity. According to “12-Hour Days, Six Days a Week” by Vivian Wang, “the number of college graduates in China rose by 73 percent in the past decade. As a result, more people are competing for a limited pool of white-collar jobs.” This may explain the prevalence of the "996" model—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. But according to Wang, increasing numbers of young people are resisting this culture of workaholism and are choosing to “tangping”, or opt-out.
After reading this piece, I reflected on whether "tangping" could ever be an option for me. As a child, I was powerless. However, as I grew older I was able to choose activities that I was successful in and that aligned with my own interests, like business camps or computer coding. I’m still part of the rat race—but at least now, I can choose which race to run.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/style/north-korean-defector-fashion.html
This week, the article that caught my attention in The New York Times was about women from North Korea finding their freedom through fashion. In North Korea, there are several clothing restrictions and you are really not allowed to express yourself through your clothing or you will be faced with a “shaming session''. The two particular women highlighted in the article would obtain illegal clothing from private dealers, and if they wanted to wear these clothing items, they would have to sneak around back streets to avoid being seen. This was all so surprising to me, and I really began to sympathize with these women. Clothing is such a basic thing, but I feel it is very overlooked. In a way, our clothes represent who we are. Everyone has their own sense of style and way of expression, and clothes convey that. They can allow us to feel good and confident and ready to take on a long day. Whenever you put on a nice outfit and do your hair and things like that, it is a form of self love and appreciation, and these women were being denied the opportunity to experience this. This little thing is something that we all take for granted and overlook immensely. It got me thinking about all the millions of other things that we take for granted. It really made me realize how lucky I am, and how lucky we all are, to be living in the place we do and to have the opportunities and freedoms we have.
Can Fake Images Show Us Something Real?
Always look for the best quality image; that's the one rule we need to follow when editing our magazine in the school magazine club. As a result, we tend to underestimate the inherent value of images and exaggerate the quality of pictures. I did not understand the purpose of photographs until knowing the stories of Akkapeddi, Aarati, and the GAN technology. The article introduces us to 2 distinct subjects and how they intertwined to create benefits for all of us: technology and life. People say technologies are not as helpful as we would expect. While this GAN technology might not be perfect at recreating portrait images of Aarati's mom, Akkapeddi, it recreated valuable moments with Aarati's loved one; it preserved the unique connections she had with her mom. Now Aarati gets to truly "own" the moments that meant so much for her and Akkapeddi. The machine learning algorithm gets the job done, "fixed" the picture by modeling a consistent arrangement of pixels. Although this is not the best quality photo of her mom, for Aarati, the low-quality feature of the image wouldn't matter; it would be the perfect photo because what's on it means more than the photo itself. This whole story resembles how my grandma always loved to save pictures of our whole family together on a trip and special events since my grandpa passed away. GAN technology is applied to protect the fragile emotional bonds between people. And again, technology saves the day.
“CNN’s Cuomo Conundrum: A Star Anchor With a Brother in Trouble”
As many top Democrats including President Biden requesting NY Governor Andrew Cuomo resign, it puts Cuomo’s brother Chris, the prime time anchor for CNN in a difficult position. Throughout all of the scandals and accusations against Andrew, Chris has not commented or revealed anything extra about the situation. However, as more information and details have been released involving Andrew, CNN had been updating its liberal audience throughout the day. Then all of a sudden, when it was Chris’ turn to anchor, the news disappeared for the hour. This seems like an extremely immature thing to do for CNN. They should either put Chris on paid administrative leave, or discuss the issues. It is not surprising for CNN to do something like this considering their history for lots of left leaning and far fetched stories, it seems like the right thing to do is tell the audience the truth and let them know of what is happening with Andrew Cuomo, arguably the biggest story in America at the moment. Chris has been put in a tough situation, and I respect him for wanting to tough it out and keep doing his job. However, it seems immature and a little shady for a news network to censor a huge story for an hour just because the anchor’s brother has a scandal.
This Train Crash Killed 49 People. It Didn’t Have to Happen.
“Ms.Lee has been rescued and is suffering from a severe leg injury”, I cried out with fear. Mrs.Lee was my teacher from first grade to third grade, a very calm and kind teacher. She was going to Taitung to visit her parents, however, out of luck, she got into one of most devastating train accidents in Taiwan’s history, causing her both mental and physical pain.
The train accident happened on the first day of the Double Fifth Festival, many people were either going on vacation or going back home to visit their relatives. This fatal accident could be avoided according to government officials, as they had asked the workers to not work during the festival since the four day holiday usually attracts a lot of people going out, and the consequences of an accident could be fatal. However, the workers didn’t listen and still worked on the day.
This was the first time that someone so close to me being involved in such a severe accident, and it was a huge shock to me, forcing me to understand that I should always treasure those around me since we won’t know who would be involved in what accident and those that are around us may leave at any time. Also, I learned that we should be careful when we do anything, as if we aren’t careful, it might evolve into a devastating accident harming and causing trauma to innocent people. This accident has caused harm to Taiwanese society and I hope no accidents like this will reoccur.
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set."
Some may say, "Why would anyone withdraw at the Olympics?” As viewers, we see this action as irresponsible, selfish, and quite stupid. Although not all of us are olympic champions, we still forget that champions are people too. After many years of advocating for mental health, it is still dismissed by many. I can't even imagine the amount of anxiety many of these huge athletes are under. Just the thought of having to represent your country by bringing home the gold sounds hard enough, not to mention having to look perfect to the public eye.
Simone Biles may not realize the example that she set for other athletes, but I can tell you that her actions were eye opening. As a student athlete, the common feeling of stress that is set upon me to keep up my grades and perform on the field at my best is a lot to handle. At times, it can all be way too much at once causing my mental and emotional health to plummet. But unlike Simone Biles, I never have the courage to take a step back to care for myself before I play soccer. If I were to do so, I feel like my coaches and teammates would see me as weak. Seeing Biles withdraw from a huge tournament to care for herself really has shown me that it is okay to not be okay sometimes. That it is okay to take time for yourself before you get hurt and most importantly, not care what other people think of you. At the end of the day, your mental well being is most important.
$1 Trillion Infrastructure Deal Scales Senate Hurdle With Bipartisan Vote
A ding from the oven. The smell of a delectable pie wafting through the air. I rush to the kitchen to watch my mom reveal the treat that she's promised for weeks. I can hardly wait, knowing the time she spent laboring over this dessert only heightens my expectations. But what leaves the oven isn’t the feel good, rich pie that I’ve awaited. Instead, only a few slightly warmed fruit lie between my mom’s oven mitts.
Betrayed.
That’s what I expect Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive Democrats felt as their Senate counterparts revealed the infrastructure deal they struck with Senate Republicans. The Time’s pie chart shows how the new renegotiated deal is a sad shell of the original $2.2 trillion plan meant to revitalize the country’s infrastructure and further the nation. Only a quarter of the original funding remains, with money for social issues like addressing the housing crisis and racial inequality having been cut out.
There’s reason to be frustrated. Biden’s infrastructure plan was supposed to not only improve infrastructure, but invigorate our country as a whole. Though in all honesty, I’m disappointed by the response of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and others who completely belittle the new deal. It’s rare to hear of any cooperation among our politicians, so many Americans, myself included, would be appeased by the small morsels of any deal when the appealing lure of a fully baked plan is out of reach.
“Everything I Know About Hope I Learned From My Dog”
Ever since I was three, I have had a dream.
I want a dog, a fluffy one, lying on the ground with her big eyes winking. Sadly, everyone in my family had all kinds of reasons to disappoint me. This wondering-then-denying circle lasted for a long time until my wish shrank, but dogs’ attraction to me never wanes.
So, Mrs. Margaret Renkl’s article “Everything I Know About Hope I Learned From My Dog” caught my eye. Her hopeful dogs are funny. Especially the one named Rascal, hoping to catch birds through windows. But what touched me were “the desolate faces of pets left at the shelter by the only families they have ever known.”
Those poor little lives made me wonder, if my dog comes, how will I treat her? On some tiresome days, will I be immersed in the phone while forgetting to feed her? On other stressful days, will I be annoyed by her ball-playing invitations, then, shout at her? Imagining her bright eyes, sparkling with anticipation, but gradually dimmed by my negligence, I’m glad that I never had a dog.
To my dog, I’m not only a master who provides a home, but also a benefiter she will guard throughout her life. But what does she mean to me? A companionship I might already get from family and friends? A toy to tease me from time to time? Or just a pet, a novelty I want on a whim? Comparing the way I feel about her to how she feels about me … No, it’s incomparable.
To my never-arrived dog: thank you for never arriving.
“You May Not Want to Get Your Beauty Tips From TikTok”
My dad is a funny guy. He always shares funny TikToks with me. Those videos are all similar "Avoid these three foods when you plan to lose weight!".When I am trying to get away from TikTok my dad is always forcing me to look over these posts. I know most of them aren’t scientifically proven as I have studied nutrition for a long time.
When I read this article I understood Dr. Niket Sonpal’s concerns immediately. It’s not only beauty tips. We should be wary of any subjective unvouched for tips emanating from TikTok. It is baffling that in 2021 people can easily be convinced. The reason people trust these tips is that nowadays people are eager to become beautiful. It is precisely such well-publicized and seemingly sincere tips that people will search TikTok for when they have questions. Behind these seemingly useful methods, lie unreliable products that are recommended casually to make money or the possibly more important social media clout. Unlike my friends, I am not a fan of TikTok. I think TikTok is shaping our philosophy. When more people realize that TikTok is just a daily pastime and not an encyclopedia more people can avoid being harmed by it.
The night after I read this article, I had a serious conversation with my father, “Dad, some articles on TikTok that you shared with me are not scientific.” I saw my dad smile and say, “How could I not know? I just wanted to have a common topic and talk to you as friends.”
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set"
Simone Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, and I believe that her actions during this year’s Olympic games cemented her as a true role model. Biles pulled out of the Olympic finals and cost her team a gold medal due to concerns about her mental and physical health as well as the pressures she was facing to succeed. In Lindsey Crouse’s article, she talks about the criticisms that Simone Biles received, with people on the internet calling her lazy and weak. Biles has already proved herself an excellent gymnast, so why is it such a big deal for her to drop out of the Olympic Games? Personally, I think that Simone Biles’s choice was the correct one, and it really resonated with me. Sometimes, I get so focused on being a perfect student and putting pressure on myself to get good grades that I forget to leave some time for myself and my mental health. I feel like seeing professional athletes make decisions like this for their health can remind all of us that it is okay to take a break every once now and then. In my eyes, Biles’s decision to gracefully step down was very brave. As Steve Magness said in the article, many people have misconceptions on what it means to be tough. “It’s not gritting our teeth through everything; it’s having the space to make the right choice despite pressure, stress and fatigue.”
"Tunisia’s Democracy Verges on Collapse as President Moves to Take Control"
In the North African country of Tunis, Democracy is in dire straits. The Tunisian President, Kais Saied, has fired his prime minister and other ministers, suspended parliament, and used the state of emergency declared from the Coronavirus to abuse his presidential powers. The prime minister, Hichem Mechichi, and other cabinet and parliament members have announced that they will attempt to hold meetings in spite of the president banning it. This has sparked fear among many critics and opposition members, who accuse the president of trying to attempt a coup, and they worry he may continue his power grab by further deploying the military and arresting top officials. I chose the article because I found it interesting how Tunis was the only country positively affected by the Arab Spring Protests, with a fragile democracy being established. Other countries affected by the Arab Spring had much worse results, such as civil war, revolution, or even counter revolution. And now, it looks like Tunis will lose its Democracy and become a dictatorship, meaning the Arab Spring Protests were all for nothing and only worsened their countries instead of improving them. This article applies to my life because I am personally very interested in world politics, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. Both of these areas are full of oppressive dictatorships, and I hope that one day Democracy will prevail there.
This week in the Times I read about an adventurer and activist named Reza Baluchi, who built a homemade raft and floated it 25 miles on what would have been a 1000-plus-mile journey from St. Augustine, Florida to New York. Mr. Baluchi had spent thousands of dollars and nearly a decade building and improving the his raft, which he proclaimed the “Hydro-Pod.” Mr. Baluchi had to evacuate and abandon his trip shortly after 25 miles due to his supplies supposedly being stolen, as he was equipped with a satellite phone, a solar panel, a water filtration system, neoprene wet suits, and a stockpile of granola and ramen noodles. While I was reading this article, I mentally pictured myself in his Hydro-Pod, floating in the ocean on a 1,000-mile trip. It would be very scary, especially at night, when there is no natural light to help guide your way across the Atlantic Ocean. Also, riptides and tidal waves would be an issue, as you would get knocked around and tumble inside of the hamster ball-like contraption. Baluchi acknowledged these problems, with a solar array of lights and a seatbelt-harness system, also including a helmet to protect him from those deadly waves. Mr. Baluchi had ultimately done this to bring awareness to the homeless individuals in America, specifically in Florida. Being homeless himself, he thought it would bring hope to the people with no hope left and show support through this miraculous and dangerous trip. That’s what I learned reading in the times this week.
“This ‘Shazam’ for Birds Could Help Save Them”
Not long ago, I participated in a competition about Ornithology, or the study of birds. It was enjoyable to be able to identify the birds around me, but it took hours of studying. That’s why an article about an app that could identify birds by their songs piqued my interest.
The Merlin Bird ID app can listen in to name the birds that are singing around a user. It’s an exciting concept, but my biggest revelation came when the piece explained how this feature can create a love for birds, therefore increasing awareness about bird conservation.
As the piece explained how love is the secret to saving birds, I realized I was the perfect example to corroborate this theory. When I learned to pick out morning birdsong as the calls of a blue jay or the trills of a towhee, my interest in birds — and their conservation — multiplied tenfold. I now know who to call if I find an injured bird and what to do about a baby bird that fell from its nest. However, my love for birds only began because I discovered just how fun it was to know the names of the birds that sang around me.
After this realization, the piece became a call to action for me. It showed me that I could contribute to bird conservation just by ushering in a love for birds in my friends and neighbors. How will I do this? The article has already given me a great way to start. With the Merlin app, I can show anyone the joy of knowing exactly which bird is serenading us.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
Simone Biles has been widely known for the past 5 or so years as the greatest of all time in regards to the sport of gymnastics, which is why it was no surprise that practically everyone expected her to "...collect gold medals like refrigerator magnets". At this past Olympic games, Biles shocked fans by withdrawing from the team finals, as well as 3 out of the 4 event finals. After getting lost in the air during her vault and barely avoiding disaster, Biles decided that it would be unsafe for her to continue competing. She later explained that the pressure of the games was just too much and that she feared she would injure herself if she had continued with the competition.
As a gymnast myself, I partially understand the immense pressure of performing in front of judges. Of course, I wouldn't be able to fathom the stress she faces as an Olympian, however I do know how it feels to be anxious and how it affects my safety. Doing difficult skills in front of coaches and teammates is one thing, however doing these same skills under pressure puts gymnasts at a great risk for injury. Simone actions at the Olympic games show that it's ok to step away from a competition to preserve one's safety. The mental health of athletes is often overlooked, however, activists such as Simone Biles open the door for discussion, and will hopefully inspire athletes in the future to listen to their gut and step away when necessary.
How Green Are Electric Vehicles? - New York Times - ProQuest
This article written by Hiroko Tabuchi caught my attention because my family and I are interested in reducing the amount of pollution in the world. Recently we have bought an all-electric vehicle, specifically a Tesla. Our thinking, like most, is that an all-electric vehicle would have no carbon emissions as there is no combustion engine. However, it turns out that the grids where the electricity is produced, and the factories where the battery is manufactured, emit more carbon toxins than most would think. This article provides a fact that caught my attention regarding carbon emissions. Fully electric vehicles may not have the lowest carbon emissions than a car that runs on both gas and electric. A modern hybrid car like the Toyota Prius which runs on gasoline and electric might be better for the environment than a fully electric Chevrolet Bolt. This is because the grid that produces the electricity to charge the vehicle is emitting lots of fumes and can be worse in the long run than the hybrid car. Furthermore, another idea that sparked my interest was how to dispose or even reuse the batteries in the cars. This article touches upon this idea and states that the technology might allow the batteries to be reused therefore limiting or even eliminating more pollution and garbage after the lifetime of the battery.
“Why Elite Female Athletes Are Turning Away From Major Sponsors”
I am a female myself have seen the discrimination and different respect presented towards us. In the article, it showed how female athletes are finding a way to get treated fairly. I choose the article because I want to see the improvements being made to help make it so that the future generations are presented with the same opportunities no matter what gender. There is still a long way till equal as showed in the article. However, it is much closer now than even 20 years ago. The article helped to solidify my knowledge that in sports females are becoming more equal to males.
"What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?"
I have asked myself this question before because sometimes it can be a little scary to think that our phones and other devices are constantly gathering new information about ourselves and other around us. I can recall more than once just talking about a product to my friends or family and then seeing that exact product show up in advertisements on my phone soon after. Even if I have never searched for that item in my phone before. Different apps sell our information to other companies for advertising also. Our phones and other devices can not only record every online action that we make, but our voices as well. Even more disturbing is that scammers can gain access to all of your data if you are not careful. With all of this data being gathered and stored legally by companies all over the world, what happens to it after you die? I wonder, what rights do you have to keep your information and even voice for yourself?
This article mentions countless holograms C.G.I. renderings and A.I. chat bots all either resembling and using the voices of the dead. The matter of deceased users also came up. People do not know what to do with the online profiles of those who are no longer with us. I find this all very interesting, since technology will probably only become a larger part of every persons life in the future. Questions like the ones stated above should be answered as quickly as possible as technology will continue to advance.
"A Garden at Ground Zero"
Greenberg's fascinating article helped me realize how being ambitious and resourceful can bring about positive change that would have been impossible without thinking outside the box.
The Financial District of New York City is packed with monolithic, humorless, buildings that suck the warm sunlight out of the narrow streets. Often, the closest one feels to nature walking on the gum-stained sidewalks is seeing the white dots of sunlight glittering on a gleaming skyscraper. If someone took a bird's eye view photograph of the neighborhood and blurred all the colors together, the result would be some variation of gray.
So, reading this article excited me because Greenberg successfully created a prosperous vegetable garden in one of the largest metropolises in the world. Even more impressive is how he overcame challenges such as the "un-zephyrus gustiness that punishes anything that dares to sprout," as well as the lack of sunlight. Greenberg's ingenious solutions to the inhospitable vegetable-growing conditions that are perpetually present in the Financial District are not only admirable. He inspires me to approach the barriers I will face in the future with a mind open to creative solutions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/opinion/wildfires-oregon-west-congress.html
The title of this article, “The West Is On Fire. It’s Past Time to Act on Climate Change”, first caught my attention. For so long I feel that I have been researching, reading and writing about how climate change is negatively impacting the earth and its living conditions for every single living thing on the planet. I have come to realize over the past few years that even though so many people are putting effort into bettering the environment, nothing is changing. Reading this article has caused me to agree with the title that it is “past time” to act on climate change and that it may be too late for our planet to ever return back to the way it once was.
Just last week as I was sitting in my car driving down the road, I peered out of the window at the sky. I noticed the sun was an abnormal color; a hazy oversaturated red color. This was caused by the smoke from fires in Oregon. It is mind-boggling to think that smoke from a fire that happened all the way on the other side of the United States could travel so rapidly to the complete opposite side of the country. This article reminded me of how serious climate change really is, and that if we don’t start making drastic changes to our lifestyles, more and more places around the world will see these environmental alterations impact their own lives.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/sports/olympics/simone-biles-mental-health.html
One news story that I was paying attention to this week was Simone Biles withdrawing from the olympic events. I think that this article highlighted the change in how athletes prioritize their lives. Society has evolved to make amazing athletes like Biles realize that they are not only loved for performances, but as people. Simone realized that she was more important than a gold medal, and she took the time to fix her issues. This story was well written, and it is great our society is creating an environment where athletes are treated as people. It is also great to see that since the writing of this article Simone Biles returned for 1 event and won a bronze. She clearly prioritized her mental health and safety before any medal, which is something which we must normalize
“Modern Zoos are Not Worth the Moral Cost''
Remember that feeling of excitement when going to the zoo as a child? Peering into random exhibits and rummaging through the gift shop? Sounds like a fun experience until discovering what can take place behind the scenes.
This article sparked my attention because of my passion and interest in animals. It is astonishing how limited zoo displays and information are to the public. If visitors are not being educated, I agree in questioning the purpose of having such zoos. On the other hand, many zoos utilize their potential and resources to make a difference in helping wildlife. This effort impacts the public's understanding and knowledge of animals. With some zoos claiming to protect animals and provide education, it was plausible that animals were in a safe environment. Behaviors of distressed animals in captivity exposes the harsh practices of some zoos. The use of “psychoactive drugs” on animals is not the only unethical practice by zoos. It is disheartening that animals considered as “surplus” are confined in captivity or in some cases euthanized. Some zoos make their displays appealing to people instead of prioritizing the animals' best interests.
Restructuring deficient zoos would be beneficial to both animals and visitors. Zoos should incorporate a healthy and stimulating habitat that serves as a sanctuary for rehabilitation, rescue, and education. People play an important role in protecting the world’s diverse wildlife.
Sex talks should start earlier than you think.
We’ve all had that awkward talk about the birds and the bees. Your parents sitting you down one time giving you a confusing lecture. That’s it nothing else no answering questions you may have or any feelings that come up. This article stood out to me because I had the same experience. My mom sitting my sisters and me down and showing us condoms and the confusing lecture and nothing else. I didn't know the anatomically correct names for my body part until I was in 7th grade.
I figured out I knew nothing about sex, body parts, or sexuality. I had to teach myself and required knowledge on my own. Instead of my parents teaching me. The “sex” talk should start when children start school because a lot of kids don't know the right terms of their body parts making them feel weird about their bodies. The lack of sexual knowledge has lead to sexual promiscuity and more stigma around sex and sexuality.
Sex shouldn't be taboo it should be pleasurable and enjoyable. The human body is beautiful and shouldn’t be taboo or uncomfortable. Knowledge is power so knowing about sex and sexuality can cultivate a healthy relationship with your body and mind.
“As Infections Rise, C.D.C. Urges some Vaccinated Americans to Wear Masks Again”
I took notice of this one because the news is upsetting. Not because I disagree with it, or because I’m mad at the decision, but because we have to reverse course. This pandemic started when I was a sophomore in high school, and now I’m a senior. Roughly a year and a half have been dominated by COVID, when it could have been less. It could have ended almost off the bat with a (relatively) short shut-down, but people resisted. We could have ended it in the first half of this year by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask until we achieved herd immunity, but people resisted. There is a group of people who almost seem to be deliberately prolonging the threat of COVID-19. They don’t want to wear masks or get vaccinated, citing that it’s their “right”. As someone who has followed what the C.D.C. has recommended, it’s frustrating that this group of people is continuing the massive problem to save themselves a very mild inconvenience. I suppose it begs the question about freedoms as a whole- if your personal freedoms hurt the collective group, should that freedom be granted? Maybe, maybe not. Given that it could mean saving or killing a few hundred thousand people, I think it’s worth considering.
The Covid Delta Variant: How Dangerous Is It?
Four centuries ago, in the satanic-sounding year of 1666, the Great Plague struck London, spreading quickly through the rest of the country and killing three-quarters of England’s population. As the pandemic raged, many people donned masks, albeit not as fashionable as modern ones, embellished with rainbow gradients and catchy slogans.
Many American states recently lifted mask mandates and stay-at-home orders; however, the new Delta variant threatens the ostensibly safe environment painted by the government. The new strain is far more transmissible than the original coronavirus — a “superspreader,” according to Spencer Bokat-Lindell, writing in The New York Times.
While scientists are uncertain whether the Delta variant might cause worse diseases, they caution those who have taken the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to opt for a dose of Pfizer or Moderna. Because of the resurgence of the virus, overburdened healthcare systems will also be placed under further strain. Unvaccinated Americans are almost exclusively at risk.
I used to think that getting the vaccine would mean I could go anywhere without a mask. But my mom had different ideas and so when we go out, we still wear one. Sigh. The only way she’ll change her mind is if everyone (or close to) gets vaccinated.
That’s why I read Aaron E. Carroll’s article, “Covid Is Now a Crisis for the Unvaccinated,” with great enthusiasm. I also think we should mandate the vaccine; people need to be responsible to the people around them. Yes, there will need to be certain medical exceptions, but the only way to protect children and the elderly is to get the people around them immunized.
I have a friend who returned from China a few days ago and right now only has his first shot of the vaccine. He lives with his parents and grandparents. I talked to him yesterday and asked how he has been doing. He told me that he goes out everyday to have lunch or dinner with friends. I immediately remembered the time when I went to my favorite Italian restaurant near my house and saw people sitting near each other without masks. So I told him that he should be responsible to his family members, because they have not gotten vaccinated yet. Further, I suggested to him that he urge his parents and other family members to get the vaccine. There’s no time like the present to do the right thing.
A mandate is a drastic step. But we need it because Delta is spreading among the unvaccinated. And a drastic step isn’t drastic if it saves lives.
"Tracing Freedom to a Pair of Jeans"
Fashion has always been something I loved. I enjoy waking up in the morning and looking in my closet to see what I could wear today. Or, going to the store and looking at a piece of clothing and envisioning an entire outfit to go with it. I never realized that in some places of the world like North Korea, they can't do any of that. Fashion is a way we express ourselves. As Ms. Kang said in the article, "Fashion allows you to tell your story." Civilians in North Korea are not able to tell a story other than them being stripped to their right as human beings to have freedom of wearing what they want.
Something I really loved about this article was how they portrayed development through two North Korean women who left North Korea and were finally allowed the freedom they deserved. When these women left, they understood the meaning behind fashion. How fashion tells a story yet they tried to change themselves to fit in. They then realized we must adjust to current trends for ourselves, not to copy others and fit in. Fashion is freedom and we all are free to be our own people. Instead of trying to copy others to feel more normal in a sense, we need to show who we really are.
I guess I never realized how truly lucky I am to be able to express myself through fashion. This article helped me to realize that.
"Unvaxxed, Unmasked, and Putting Our Kids at Risk"
For over a year, the coronavirus pandemic had completely changed our lives. Our new normal consisted of six feet distances and mask wearing. Although, with the creation of the vaccine it had given most of us hope that our lives could soon get back to normal. Our health and safety lies within getting vaccinated and the continued use of masks. Yet, there are still some people who take their health for granted for reasons like the idea that it strips away their freedom as an American. However, do you think those reasons for refusing to get a simple shot or using a mask outweigh the safety of others? While some people are unvaccinated or maskless because of access problems, those who are fully capable of getting the shot are completely ignoring the lives they are risking. In this article, it discussed the author's daughter Layla who was born three months early due to a life-threatening disorder called HELLP syndrome. Ever since she was born Layla's mother had to live with her daughter's life constantly being at risk. With children like Layla and others who have underlying health conditions, catching this virus can lead to a worse case scenario before you even know it. While some may deem our anger as an overreaction, this virus is not something to take lightly. Not only that but, if there are ways to prevent yourself and those around you from obtaining it then there is no reasonable excuse to not do the right thing.
"There Has Never Been a Better Time to Have a Headache"
What first caught my eye was the article’s artwork: Two hands holding a face of shattered glass together. The shattered face of glass pieces, piercing the hands, communicated a sensation of extreme pain.
We all experience occasional mild headaches. However, migraine suffers have severe, oppressively chronic, headaches.
The author points out that the disorder affects "tens of millions of Americans." Migraines are debilitating; they interfere with people’s productivity and torture them with pain. With no known cure, migraine suffers were burdened by hopelessness, feeling “the loss of what [they] could have been, or could be, or could do, without migraines.”
Worse, migraines were thought to be rooted in emotional or psychological weaknesses; the best treatment was powerful painkillers that worked only temporarily and had unwanted side effects.
But now, as the essay’s title states - there has never been a better time to have a headache - because scientists finally realized migraines are triggered by hyperactivity in the brain’s cerebral cortex. Luckily, in the 1980s scientist developed a type of medication, called CGRP, which suppresses the cerebral cortex’s hyperactivity without side effects.
CGRP can now only be administered by (expensive) shots, but scientists are developing easier to administer, less expensive, alternatives; such treatment will be life-altering for millions.
"Ask Yourself Which Books You Truly Love"
Literature is not a Bible that subjects the mind to an image haloed by glory.
Neither a sword, held aloft against enemies in the clangour of war.
Nor a peacekeeper, who satisfies, but never learns to break in the right moment.
Literature sometimes turns the reprehensible into the comprehensible, makes beautiful that which is distorted. As a result, to moralise is to confine a universe in a nutshell of rigidity.
The best tales in the Eastern canon, according to the article, are those free from moralisation, which neither “seek to preach about humility or modesty or moderation or honesty or abstinence,” nor “guarantee the triumph of virtue.” It is the absence of a moral lesson that makes those stories—untinctured with historical prejudices and social conventions—reverberate across centuries and continents, striking the deep chord within Rushdie as a modern reader.
As a writer myself, enlightened by the amoral stories in “Ask Yourself Which Books You Truly Love,” instantaneously I recognised the true purpose that literature serves for me.
With a sober attitude and a trenchant pen must I write, delving deep into humanity’s abyss and breaking the shackles of convention. It is this will that demarcates me as an amoralist from the moralists, an iconoclast from the iconodules. Literature is a space of solitude, where I muse upon complexities, then “to approach the new.”
Let it not be Nicomachean Ethics; let it be Beyond Good and Evil.
“Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports”
The article, “Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports,” resonated with me because I used to be a gymnast, too. I could relate to the argument because, although I greatly enjoyed gymnastics, I struggled to find balance in my life due to the pressure. This article mentioned the importance of mental health in sports, especially due to the pandemic, Olympians have been struggling to be able to perform as usual without the crowds and consistency they were used to in the past.
The author noticeably supported Biles’ action to drop out by mentioning Nancy Hogshead-Makar, a former Olympian, who stated, “Almost no athlete does that, go for a year with no competition. There is no replacement, when all eyes are on you and you need to be able to perform when the time is right.” This shows that without the consistency they used to have, mental health and ability to perform is at an all-time low.
This causes me to feel sympathy towards the athletes because they still have to compete in the Olympics. The author also mentioned that there is a tremendous amount of pressure on Biles as she is the face of the Olympics for the United States. The strength of the argument in this article is demonstrated when it makes me and other athletes, feel badly for her. The article did that with the way they explained the physical and mental toll of her position in gymnastics.
"With Guardians, Cleveland Steps Away From an Offensive Name"
I was born in the state of Ohio and grew up watching and supporting the Indians. When I went to elementary school I moved to New Hampshire. At my new school, occasionally baseball would become a topic of conversation. I would join in and speak about my team, the Indians.
As I got older and began learning about Native Americans and how they were treated, I began to feel guilty about my favorite team. Whenever I would say their name or reference their mascot it felt a little wrong. When I heard of the name change it was a bittersweet feeling. On one side I was glad they removed the offensive name and mascot, and on the other I was same the name I had heard forever was gone. The new name, the Guardians, was not what I was expecting. I sat with my cousins who live in a suburb of Cleveland, trying to decipher the new name. The reasoning behind the name was the statues throughout Cleveland called guardians. Executives claimed that not everyone would understand it, but the locals would. My family, who are locals did not understand the name and were upset by the choice.
Despite the odd name, this change will allow for native people to support their team without looking at an offensive mascot and name. The executive director of the American Indian movement of Ohio, Philip Yenyo, who has been protesting for years can finally go watch a Guardians game with his son.
"How Sydney McLaughlin Beat Her Own World Record to Win Gold"
Most of us know by now that the summer Olympics have been going on in Tokyo the past few weeks and many records have been broken. Starting with Sydney McLaughlin a U.S.A hurdler who participated in the women's 400-meter this year and finishing within 51.46 seconds setting a World Record and beating her own. Sydney finished in first place scoring a gold metal and shaving off .44 seconds to her previous world record. McLaughlin was the fastest overall and the fastest between the three medalists. McLaughlin beat one of her closest rivals, Dalilah Muhammad, who is also from U.S.A scored second earning a gold metal. Ralph Mann, a U.S.A consultant said "McLaughlin finished the last three hurdles much better than she has ever ran before". Many people agree with Ralph Mann and they even think that in a few years at the next Olympics there will be some rivalry between McLaughlin and Muhammad now that they know what they need to work on.
"The 4 Best Popsicle Molds"
As being a big popsicle fan, my experience is robbed when I eat into a popsicle whose mold makes it difficult to eat; and wirecutter shares my distress. They have mastered 4 molds that have been through years of ruthless testing, observing, and modifying. First up, we have the “Classic Pop,” which is described as "Plastic molds make a traditionally shaped ice pop that comes out smoothly.” Sometimes simple is better! Next up is the “Penguin Pops”. Looking at these makes my mouth water, they are so cute and look like eating them would be effortless. Next we have the “Fish Pop”, which is described to be “clever under-the-sea molds that make even-smaller-than-average pops, so they are more manageable for younger kids to finish.” And last but not least we have the “Tropical Fruit Ice Pop”! The article states, “These pricer molds come in the shapes of watermelon sliced and whole pineapples, making cute yet sophisticated pops that would be great for a party.” While they are doing some marketing research to sell their popsicle molds, this gave me so much insight on what popsicle shapes I should be enjoying.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/us/covid-schools-at-home-learning-study.html
"You have been staring at your screen for three hours! Your eyes need to relax!" my mom yelled.
"OK, OK! We're almost done", I halfheartedly responded. The math problem has puzzled me, Michale, and Laura for the entire afternoon. Michale and Laura live in a beautiful rural village. However, being 50 miles away from the city center and lacking business opportunities, the village failed to attract and retain teacher talent, making teenagers nearly impossible to learn.
I met Michale and Laura when hiking beside their village, a year before the coronavirus outbreak. At that time, I wanted to offer help, but my hectic school schedule made it impossible. Now, taking online classes reduces commute time, which allowed me to discuss with Michale and Laura and teach them knowledge.
Sarah Mervosh's article "The Pandemic Hurt These Students the Most" explains how Covid has negatively affected students' learning outcomes. Mervosh used data and real-life examples to demonstrate that the pandemic has magnified the inequalities in education caused by the differences in socioeconomic status.
My experience is the opposite. To me, the pandemic actually boosted students' learning outcomes and softened the inequalities in education. Interacting with Michale and Laura, I become more familiar with the concepts I learned in class. I'm grateful to see that they gained knowledge easier and quicker than before.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/world/asia/wonnangatta-valley-disappearances.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
In any small town with a darker or more unexplained history there are bound to be stories completing cases still left unsolved, stories to give kids a scare or a warning about places they shouldn't be or things they shouldn't do. In recent times the stories of creatures lurking in the dark has probably been drastically lowered given the adolescent usage of technology but reading this story of the possible serial kidnapper known as the 'Button Man' means the unknown is still researched and told in different variations to fit the personal fears of one person or a small group of people giving warning to the mysterious Australian bush. This story really captures my attention because it appears to me that if we don't share anything with any other place in the world, not a currency or a government then we at least share our usage of the unknown to finish stories from long ago that end with a piece of clothing or a footprint or even a strange noise that has never been explained by authorities because there is nothing rational about a this case or that one. This story also captures my attention because it means that stories of mystical, mysterious beings will never die down with the growth of technology or the evolution of civilization, stories will forever be the things tying us to the past and driving us toward the future.
“What Makes a Good Leader, and Who Gets to Be One?”
In middle school, I joined a leadership program where we discussed stories of great leaders (mostly men) and playacted at commanding others in imaginative simulations. Although I left the program with a better understanding of what it means to lead, I still doubted whether I can be a leader.
When I returned to school, I decided to try leading a dance team for an upcoming performance. Because I felt skilled as a dancer, I thought I would make a natural leader—but as I discovered, the two traits have little to do with each other. Dealing with a team of classmates with different dancing abilities and attention spans, I tried to lead us in memorizing our routine, but found that we were scarcely making progress. While we were moving onto our finale, some dancers were still getting our opening moves down.
Realizing that vexation alone wouldn’t do the trick, I decided to enlist some help. As Alyse Nelson described, “It’s about listening, not talking.” I gathered everyone in a circle, and asked for ideas about how to improve our training. Through group brainstorming, we came up with the creative idea to associate movements with memorable phrases, like “dusting shoulders” or “backache.” Not only were these phrases good for a laugh—they made us train better, and eventually helped us give a great performance.
Inspired by the women featured in the book “Vital Voices,” I realize that I can be a leader, in my female style of leading.
“The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time”
I found this article to be very interesting because of the statistics they provided and the ways I related and didn’t relate to it. Looking at the number decrease for time spent outside was shocking to me because I personally spent more time outside than ever before. I had nothing else to do and didn’t want to be stuck inside all day so I always found myself having fun outside. Either alone or with my family I would go on walks and do other activities in our yard. I taught myself how to ripstick and long board, and still have those talents to this day.
In other ways I also relate to these stats quite a bit. A few graphs show how mothers had a lot more stress put on them between managing cooking, cleaning, and taking care of their kids. I definitely helped my mom out a lot by cooking some meals for my brother and cleaning up around the house. However I know she was stressed during the tougher times of the pandemic.
“How Has the Coronavirus Changed How You Use the Internet?”
The article, which analyzes the different ways in which the pandemic has affected people’s use of the internet, includes some specific connections to how many high school students’ lives, including my own life, have changed as a result of our prolonged time spent in front of screens. One result stated in the article is that, “We have suddenly become reliant on services that allow us to work and learn from home.” The article also states, “Video games have been gaining while sports have lost out.”
In my own experience over this past year and a half, I have witnessed people, including myself, becoming reliant upon online education services. On days that I would “attend” virtual classes, I would usually start my day by logging onto my computer, and then staring at the bright screen for the next several hours. Even on days I was physically in school, I would constantly be on my computer taking notes, doing work, or taking online exams. On both types of days, remote or in-person, I would have all my homework online and would have to submit it on an array of different educational websites and programs, each specific to the one(s) my teachers used. Not just through school was the pandemic affecting my life though, as entertainment also changed. It was this past year when my family set up Netflix and Disney+ accounts, so rather than watching a sports game at night, I would watch a movie or binge watch a TV show.
"What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?"
Never once in my life was I able to meet my grandfather or my dog who were gone before my birth. My grandfather had passed away from diabetes. Right now nobody really talks about him. When I was younger, I did hear about him, but never once had I seen a picture of him. I still wonder how my grandfather looks and sounds to this day. I also have been told about my family’s female maltese, Coco. When I was born, my family had to give away our dog in order to ensure my safety from allergies or loud barking noises.I've heard stories about Coco and they all make me laugh. They also make me want to see her. Sometimes, I wish Coco was never given away so she could still have been there for my family members who miss her so much.
I wish that Coco and my grandfather would be remembered like how celebrities are. From holograms, 3d projections, and Anthony Bourdain’s AI-generated voice, I wish that my deceased family members would be remembered this way as well. Of course, I would not want to have their voices/pictures exposed to everybody like celebrities, but it would not hurt to have something similar.
I may not have a celebrity family but that does not change the fact that I still want my deceased family members remembered. If only one day we could produce a hologram or a photo album of my deceased grandfather and family’s dog, then my mind would finally be put to rest from all these wonders and feelings of curiosity.
"There Is No Good Reason You Should Have to Be a Citizen to Vote"
America has always been a country built on fear of foreigners and the indigenous, everyday minorities have to fight to earn their respect in the United States. America continues to search for ways to "suppress, redistrict and manipulate their way to electoral security." Our government fails to realize that the "aliens" are people who follow laws and partake in life as American citizens. "Another misconception is that citizen voting rights have always been the prerogative of the federal government." Voting has never been completely up to American citizens, the government has always introduced a new way to keep its citizens from voting. Voting gives people a sense of involvement in their communities, wanting to be more involved in the rebuilding or adding of it. I hope that America will one day step out of its fear of allowing new ideas into our government and allow others to even be able to spread their culture into our culture, to help shape our government.
The Daily: Cubans Take to the Streets
Cuba is drowning in Covid cases and heat. Prices of food and medicine are skyrocketing as supply plummets. The economy - as well as the peoples’ satisfaction with the government - has been in a “downward spiral”. At first, I assumed this was the fault of the Cuban government, but I was unsurprised to learn that there have been other forces working in the shadows.
It seems to me that the United States has acted like a puppet master, toying with the lives of everyday Cubans. For example, President Trump’s Cuba policies took away the shaky platform of American money that Cuba had been teetering upon. Suddenly, Cubans couldn’t afford food or healthcare.
Unfortunately, given the history of the U.S., this information didn’t surprise me. What did leave a pit in my stomach was learning that the goal of U.S. policy towards Cuba has been “to squeeze the government hard enough to inflict so much pain that the system reaches a breaking point”, from which would spring a new system of government that the U.S. likes better. I was further shocked to learn that President Biden has continued with this mindset.
I used to be confused and a little offended when hearing that the Cuban government reacts to problems by blaming the U.S. Now I know that, although they should also take action to help their citizens, they are not wrong. The U.S. government is continuing a history of ignoring people’s well-being in the face of government structures and power.
"Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/sports/olympics/simone-biles-mental-health.html
The Olympic Games is an over a century long tradition. An event where countries all over the world bring their best of the best athletes to compete against each other. The stress of that title, “the best of the best”, is immense. That means that in order to be at their peak performance these athletes have to be strong both mentally and physically. Until now stoicism has been the common theme amongst athletics. Athletes seem to ignore mental illness because it can be seen as a weakness. For the first time in history Simone Biles spoke out and did what she needed to do for herself. She recognized that she wasn't where she wanted to be mentally for this Olympic games. Especially when she was carrying the title of "The greatest gymnast in history" on her back. Our society doesn't view mental illness as an injury, but in order to perform your best it is just as important to feel at 100% mentally, as it is to be at 100% physically. The bravery and self awareness it took for Simone to make that tough decision based on what she believed was best for her, is just as inspiring as a gold metal.
These Chinese Millennials Are ‘Chilling,’ and Beijing Isn’t Happy
Like the chilled-out millennials discussed in this article, I grew up in the hyper-competitive classroom environment of China. A few years ago, I started losing motivation to study, and started spending more time playing video games. I’d happily pull an all-nighter to get to the next level, but I couldn’t spare a minute to finish my homework. Eventually, I started falling asleep in class, losing points left and right, and even getting made fun of by my classmates.
Like Mr. Luo and Mr. Ding, I felt the allure of lying flat. But seeing how other people viewed me, I started to wonder: is chilling really the way I want to spend my entire life? Even though it seems reasonable to want an easier life, chilling is actually a kind of surrender to the difficulties in your life. It doesn’t solve anything—it just ignores the problem, and passes it on to a future you. Even though chilling is comfortable, it limits the comforts you have access to. Just look at Mr. Ding, who had to give up his favorite bubble tea to afford his new lifestyle. And that’s just the beginning—who knows what he’ll have to give up next?
This article reminded me of the reasons that I chose to chill, and the reasons I gave it up. When I deleted the video games from my computer, everything got better: my grades, my sleep, my reputation. One day, I’ll be able to afford lying flat, but for now I’m keeping my head down.
Convoluted love triangles. Elaborate fêtes. When I first read Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park, I was enthralled by the glamorous lives of the Regency-era’s elite. I never dwelled on the subtle allusions to the slave trade. But stumbling upon this article forced me to reconcile those two worlds.
“A Jane Austen Museum Wants to Discuss Slavery. Will Her Fans Listen?” describes the recent efforts of Jane Austen’s House to include her links to slavery in their exhibits. This contextualization is crucial to understanding why Austen always placed slavery in the background of her stories. To her, it wasn’t a barbaric institution, but a means of financial stability.
Austen’s father was a trustee of an Antigua sugar plantation, which meant that she could focus on her writing instead of supporting her family. Her beloved tea, which she sipped while drafting her novels, was a product of slave labor. Writers are often told to “write what they know,” which is precisely what Austen did: she modeled her characters after her family. Slavery is inextricably intertwined with her life and her work.
The museum has received backlash from Austenites for its decision, labelling it “revisionist history.” But without understanding Austen’s historical context, we ignore the reality that 19th century British high society profited from the institution of slavery. In fact, the wealth they accumulated from it was how they achieved those lavish lifestyles we love to read about in her novels.
“Tennis, Everyone?”
Wimbledon ended only a few weeks ago. I must admit that watching it inspired even greater affection and enthusiasm toward my favorite sport. With Fall just around the corner, I had high hopes when I visited a tennis wear and equipment store to prepare for the new tennis season.
“There really is no color here. Only white,” my mom said as she rifled through the clothing rack on display. I had a look around myself, only to find an endless array of white tennis skirts, white tennis tops, white tennis dresses, and white tennis shoes. In a desperate search for color, I asked the staff for some colorful wear but the staff replied, “Sorry. All we have here is white because of Wimbledon.”
For the last three years of playing tennis, I saw no hint of color on the tennis court apart from the court itself. The New York Times article “Tennis, Everyone?” written by Jessica Iredale explores how Erick Mathelier is attempting to bring more color into the sport, not just literally but also figuratively, through his brand Furi. Tennis is often perceived as a country club sport marked for its exclusivity and prestige, and I agree with Mathelier that bringing more diversity will make the sport more inclusive.
As I walked away from the store holding my brand new white tennis shoes, I longed for the day when we will be able to see a more colorful Wimbledon, and consequently a more colorful assortment of tennis attire on sale.
“Simone Biles Rejects a Long Tradition of Stoicism in Sports”
As an athlete, I kind of get what Simone Biles is going through. I am a person that puts the stress of my entire team on myself. Playing sports is very fun, but can also be very stressful.
Simone Biles is an amazing athlete and she has the eyes of the entire world watching her. Everyone expects her to be the best gymnast and win the gold every time. That must be so much pressure to deal with. I completely understand why she backed out of the competition and it is important that she did. Simone Biles made sure to put herself and her health first. The amazing routines that she does are very dangerous if she is not in the right state of mind. Simone could have gotten seriously injured and I am glad that she stepped out of the competition. Her health is way more important than any medal or prize.
Simone Biles has been through a lot and it is very sad that she did not get to compete in the thing that she has worked all of her life to achieve. The fact that she stepped out of the competition shows just how important mental health really is. As the article says, “Beilock added, candid acknowledgments by Biles, Osaka and others are “really important for the everyday Joe to do the same thing. It sort of gives them permission”.
Simone Biles is not the only person whose mental health matters. Mental health is just as important as physical health and I am glad that Simone Biles has helped to remind us of that.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/28/sports/tokyo-olympics/womens-table-tennis-mima-ito
Competitors’ exciting performance has shown women’s power and their remarkable persistence. It reminds me of my childhood.
I began to learn an instrument called Guzheng at the age of 5; however, I couldn’t even grab an apple, not to mention plucking 21 strings to make a sound. Like competitive sports, learning Guzheng requires relentless practice.
What does Guzheng bring me? Pair of calloused hands just like the tree bark? Strings scraped my fingers, and the injury burned even when I was not touching anything. I once thought about throwing this delicate instrument off, but I am obsessed with the sound it makes - nothing painful with the marvelous sound running into my ears. Band-aids and Guzheng are the tags of my childhood.
The women players of table tennis must suffer from the torturing, boring and monotonous process as mine, but what we can gain is both material and spiritual satisfaction which is beyond description.
Things have changed because of competition. Sitting in front of my Guzheng with thousands of audience watching, nervousness and excitement filled my heart. I plucked the strings as I practiced for 8 years. All my efforts have finally paid off with a gold medal. The women players in the Olympics are more than join a competition. It is about women’s power in this day and age. The competitors are all role models for women, who make efforts to show the world their capacity.
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https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/28/sports/tokyo-olympics/womens-table-tennis-mima-ito
Competitors’ exciting performance has shown women’s power and their remarkable persistence. It reminds me of my childhood.
I began to learn an instrument called Guzheng at the age of 5; however, I couldn’t even grab an apple, not to mention plucking 21 strings to make a sound. Like competitive sports, learning Guzheng requires relentless practice.
What does Guzheng bring me? Pair of calloused hands just like the tree bark? Strings scraped my fingers, and the injury burned even when I was not touching anything. I once thought about throwing this delicate instrument off, but I am obsessed with the sound it makes - nothing painful with the marvelous sound running into my ears. Band-aids and Guzheng are the tags of my childhood.
The women players of table tennis must suffer from the torturing, boring and monotonous process as mine, but what we can gain is both material and spiritual satisfaction which is beyond description.
Things have changed because of competition. Sitting in front of my Guzheng with thousands of audience watching, nervousness and excitement filled my heart. I plucked the strings as I practiced for 8 years. All my efforts have finally paid off with a gold medal. The women players in the Olympics are more than join a competition. It is about women’s power in this day and age. The competitors are all role models for women, who make efforts to show the world their capacity.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/28/sports/tokyo-olympics/womens-table-tennis-mima-ito
Competitors’ exciting performance has shown women’s power and their remarkable persistence. It reminds me of my childhood.
I began to learn an instrument called Guzheng at the age of 5; however, I couldn’t even grab an apple, not to mention plucking 21 strings to make a sound. Like competitive sports, learning Guzheng requires relentless practice.
What does Guzheng bring me? Pair of calloused hands just like the tree bark? Strings scraped my fingers, and the injury burned even when I was not touching anything. I once thought about throwing this delicate instrument off, but I am obsessed with the sound it makes - nothing painful with the marvelous sound running into my ears. Band-aids and Guzheng are the tags of my childhood.
The women players of table tennis must suffer from the torturing, boring and monotonous process as mine, but what we can gain is both material and spiritual satisfaction which is beyond description.
Things have changed because of competition. Sitting in front of my Guzheng with thousands of audience watching, nervousness and excitement filled my heart. I plucked the strings as I practiced for 8 years. All my efforts have finally paid off with a gold medal. The women players in the Olympics are more than join a competition. It is about women’s power in this day and age. The competitors are all role models for women, who make efforts to show the world their capacity.
A Plant That ‘Cannot Die’ Reveals Its Genetic Secrets
This article presents a plant called “Welwitschia” which has sustained to live in a harsh, unforgiving environment, desert, for thousands of years. This article was especially surprising as the area that the plant survived was known to be a “harsh, hyperarid desert [in] southern Angola and northern Namibia”. This contradicted with my prediction; if the environment is favourable, the species will be more likely to survive. Besides, it was astonishing at how Welwitschia only had “two fibrous leaves” and could survive for several millennia. In fact, this plant could be only discovered as Charles Darwin and Freidrich Welwitsch only had the curiosity to discover more about this plant. Magnificently, this finding could elicit benefits and push our agriculture sector into more success.
Looking at how they discovered Welwitschia and its effect of discovery, I learned how important it was for me to take “curiosity” towards the environment that I’m placed in and must constantly question the surroundings. I must have the diligence and patience to “kneel down in the burning soil and take a closer look” as this will be the first start of my discovery. This will definitely bring me to success like the scientists mentioned in the article. Curiosity-driven research will definitely lead me to surprising and magnificent findings. Thus, I will also endeavor to question things.
Why Teens Need a Break This Summer
When the COVID-19 was raging across China, same as teenagers in the United States, I endured a physical and psychological test.
The community closed, schools closed, and entrance exams got postponed, meaning even more time spent studying at home. Seven hours of online courses during the day and five hours of review preparation at night—it’s just exhausting.
No sports, no birthday dinners, no vacations with family. Loved ones who left us forever. Frustration, unbearable sadness, and pain.
How can young people transform this painful experience into strength and cultivate psychological power?
Writer Lisa Damour writes "for most teenagers, they need time for recover." Teenagers should do what they like to do— write poems, sing, draw calligraphy, and paint, calmly accepting the impact that of that crowned pneumonia, and letting everything free.
We should "keep an open mind about what you must do.” Don't worry about academic regression caused by this. Let’s embrace our youthful resilience. Cherish the summer, whether you are a teenager or an adult, please slow down, calm down, and rebuild.
As spreading gets under control and vaccines, widely used, the epidemic will pass; but the psychological growth to recovery can benefit us for the rest of our lives.
It’s a Grizzly survival program. For Grizzly bears
Currently, 7079 species are classified as critically endangered, and 2244 species are classified as endangered. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, up to 8,700 species go extinct every year, or 24 a day. That is 1 per hour. With about 8.7 millions specials on the Earth, 86% of the species on land is undiscovered, and 91% for sea animals. Therefore, the extinction rate should be a lot higher.
This is a big problem.
While we have human rights, animals should have animal rights. Animals should have the right to live, so we shouldn’t kill them for fun. I am not saying that everyone should become a vegetarian, but we shouldn’t see humans as superior or animals obscene.
Killing animals kills ourselves as the food chain will be disrupted. For example, when animal A dies out, the number of animals B that feed on animals A will also be reduced. Therefore, when one part of the food chain breaks, everyone will be affected. If more animals are extinct, there will be a higher chance of the disruption of the food chain.
Every extinction humans cause, is because of human greed. We need to protect the animals when they need it. We can help in various ways. We can donate money to charities, hold activities to raise awareness, or, start to use less paper or plastics. There are lots of ways to help if you want to. Let’s help these animals.
New York City to Require Proof of Vaccination for Indoor Dining and Gyms
When I first read the title of this article, I thought, “it’s about time.” I often see signs on the windows of businesses that read, “Must wear a mask unless fully vaccinated,” however, it’s quite obvious that people use this as opportunity to stay unvaccinated and not wear a mask. While I’m not trying to pressure anyone into getting a vaccination if they don’t want to, I don’t think it’s right to not try to prevent the spread of this pandemic. I understand that the vaccinations haven’t been around a long time, and that some people are iffy about them. But these vaccinations could help save lives, and I think we all need to support and care for each other during this time, even if that means we have to do things we don’t want to. I would think that no one enjoys wearing masks and having to stay apart from the people they love for unknown amounts of time, but if we continue to ignore the restrictions set, this pandemic will never end, and the spread will continue.
The Persistent Grip of Social Class on College Admissions
American college admissions unfairly advantage wealthy students who can afford SAT training and essay advisors. But for students applying from China, the inequality is exacerbated. I’m from Shenzhen, so I know firsthand how hard it is to even get a seat for the SAT. Taking the SAT requires international travel out of mainland China, barring less wealthy applicants from even entering the race. While I understand the SAT could be seen as an equalizer in the US, this view has utterly no merit in mainland China where a ticket to sit for the SAT is a luxury.
To me, the SAT seems more like a business scheme, guzzling money from parents of high school students. And it’s not just the SATs. Essay tutors, college counselors, SAT training, flights abroad, hotel stays—these are the expensive steps Chinese applicants need to take to prove themselves worthy of admission.
The removal of the SAT may make college administrators’ “decision-making more obscured from the public,” but I’ve always been skeptical. US colleges preach diversity, advertising international students as selling points. But if colleges truly want diversity on their campus, their admissions requirements would be accessible for less-wealthy international applicants.
To me, the SAT as an equalizer is nothing but a mirage, but to put all the blame on the SAT is ignoring a larger rigged system.
Solving the Mystery of I.B.S
My typical morning routine for school: wake up, brush my teeth, change my clothes, leave the house, and then constant rumbling pain of Mount Vesuvius that is my stomach.
Let me set the mood. Imagine yourself taking a test, everyone is quiet. All you hear is the shuffling of papers and your teacher typing on their keyboard. And suddenly your body and gut decide to hate you and a huge rumble of pain emerges. You have to make the decision: finish the test and let the pain in your gut build-up or just relieve yourself. The problem unveiled is Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
I.B.S is an infection that results in an allergic reaction within the stomach (Brody 1). Fun fact about myself: I’m lactose intolerant and I have mild anxiety. Jane E. Brody stated there is a correlation between the brain and the stomach. I have a food-induced allergic disorder and a constant feeling of fear and dread. This gave me the sense of relief that I needed. Was I expecting to find the wondrous cure that can relieve this disorder: No. But it is an indication there are ways to change it just by my lifestyle or other peaceful solutions.
Jane E. Brody captivated my attention introducing that this pain in my gut is not just in “my” head. But rather it can just be an allergic reaction and stress. I know that the brain is connected to everything and it leaves me with the hope to find a more natural way to cope with I.B.S.
“The Milwaukee Bucks Win the N.B.A. Championship”https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/20/sports/basketball/milwaukee-bucks-nba-finals-championship.html
For much of the past decade, the prestigious Larry O’Brien trophy has been passed around like a hot (but tasty) potato between “Big Market” teams, those lush with financial capital and studded with superstar talent. While NBA playoffs are always electrifying, “Super Teams” make the game stale to watch (cough, the Warriors).
As a long-time NBA fan, this year’s playoffs have been a breath of fresh air in an arduous year of social distancing and indoor life. While “Small Market” teams like the Bucks lack the capital necessary to woo “superstars”, the Milwaukee Bucks have shown that winning a championship takes determination, team spirit, and long-term commitment in home-grown talent. The two leading stars of the roster, “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, were both drafted by the Bucks as rookies.
For the loyal small-market fans, the Bucks not only demonstrated that money isn’t the end all be all in the NBA but more importantly that faith and loyalty ultimately pay off. The impact of their championship title has reverberated across the NBA, upending the pay-to-win model and bringing a fresh mentality to the game. In a year where hope has become a scarce commodity for many in our communities, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have delivered a much-needed dose.
"A 14-Year-Old Bride, Wed to Her Rapist, Playing on a Jungle Gym"
“The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom,” Atticus Finch once lamented. But on the subject of child marriages, courtrooms appear to be a mere formality, not the last line of defense for the most vulnerable.
Our society takes great care in protecting young girls from being sexually abused when they're not married at least. Having intercourse with a minor is considered statutory rape, yet it's perfectly legal to wed a 10-year-old in 9 states. Such an act is hypocritical, confusing, and simply wrong.
The state must do two things to ensure that child marriages are safe. (1) Set up a federal law regarding minimum age, and (2) require the court to carry out due diligence. If our government can set up a federal minimum floor on hourly wages, it can also set up a floor to protect little girls who most likely do not understand the implications.
In terms of due diligence, every marriage is different in which the judge must be objective in considering the situation. The most important consideration is whether the union will be safe for both parties, especially for young brides who are often left vulnerable to domestic abuse or health risk resulting from early pregnancies. Is it too much to ask for the courts to check if parties are free from drugs, violence, and theft through testimonies and criminal records? It's the least we can do in transforming formalities into square deals.
Whenever I buy groceries, I always look for the “non-GMO verified” label. Everything I buy is non-GMO and organic. It’s what I’ve been taught is healthy. To me, genetically modified organisms are like the creature in Frankenstein: I’m left wondering what kind of monster science has made.
That all changed after reading “Learning to Love GMOs”. The example of scuba rice really opened my eyes. The fact that simply changing how long a crop can be underwater is paramount to the survival of a people is fascinating. Recently China has seen intense flooding, and the survival of flooded crops in Henan is critical. Hardier crops not only give relief efforts more time to bear fruit, but they also have the potential to save millions of lives around the world.
This revelation made me think about other things people have struggled to come to grips with. A century ago people were still wrapping their heads around telephones. Fifty years later it was television. Now, it’s GMOs. On the one hand, I get it. A lot of people in China still see anything that wasn’t grown in a village or backyard garden as dangerous. When you grow up eating food you grew yourself, the idea of food with genetic or chemical enhancement is honestly scary, doubly so when you’re someone who was around when China was so closed off from the rest of the world. Now the world is a brighter, more open place, and all of us should have a more open minded outlook toward new technologies, including the way we eat.
Why Teens Need a Break This Summer
When the COVID-19 was raging across China, same as teenagers in the United States, I endured a physical and psychological test.
The community closed, schools closed, and entrance exams got postponed, meaning even more time spent studying at home. Seven hours of online courses during the day and five hours of review preparation at night—it’s just exhausting.
No sports, no birthday dinners, no vacations with family. Loved ones who left us forever. Frustration, unbearable sadness, and pain.
How can young people transform this painful experience into strength and cultivate psychological power?
Writer Lisa Damour writes "for most teenagers, they need time for recover." Teenagers should do what they like to do— write poems, sing, draw calligraphy, and paint, calmly accepting the impact that of that crowned pneumonia, and letting everything free.
We should "keep an open mind about what you must do.” Don't worry about academic regression caused by this. Let’s embrace our youthful resilience. Cherish the summer, whether you are a teenager or an adult, please slow down, calm down, and rebuild.
As spreading gets under control and vaccines, widely used, the epidemic will pass; but the psychological growth to recovery can benefit us for the rest of our lives.
“109 Mayors, All Men. When Will New York Elect a Woman?”
Women have been in the background for centuries, the time has come for us to have our voices heard. The fact that New York City (one of the most progressive cities in our nation) has not had a woman in the position of Mayor says a lot about our nation as a whole.
Women have been deprived of their rights so long, those decisions to take away our rights have been made by one gender: Men. This year, Kathryn Garcia and Maya Wiley are the two women who ran for New York City Mayor. They are showing that women have the right to make their own path no matter how they used to be treated.
Today, women continue to challenge the status quo by taking on higher leadership positions. As said in the article, “The major citywide offices — mayor, comptroller and public advocate — will be occupied by men” (Fitzsimmons). Furthermore, this reveals that it’s a challenge for women to work in male dominated fields like politics. So it’s a threat to the status quo itself for these women to even run for Mayor.
While the women that ran for Mayor this year may not have gotten the position, they have inspired so many and have come closer to breaking the so-called “glass ceiling” for gender equality. Additionally, as a young woman I look up to Kathryn Garcia and Maya Wiley for having the guts to run for this position in a male dominated world. This brings me hope to eventually have powerful women who can speak up for themselves and women's rights.
'How Humanity Gave Itself an Extra Life'
Gen Z would have disappeared as fast as we rose if it weren’t for life advancements. If I wasn’t in 202, my 16 year old body would be pushing the brakes by now.
Living past 80 constitutes a major goal for many. Eating well, exercising, and socializing almost guarantee the octogenarian’s status of honor, but is it really worth it to live that long? What was once an impossible feat and joke 200 years ago is the new normal. In an attempt to fix problems, humans create others. While millions are not dying of smallpox, millions are dying from poverty, climate changes, and unequal access to healthcare and clean water. People choose to focus on media that violate well-deserved privacy: the personal lives of celebrities and gossip. The media need to have their headlines manifest actual breaking news of painful lives that many have to live through because other humans push them to the margins of society. The media also needs to showcase good news: happy stories of people helping each other out with groceries, new vaccines, and kindness. We need the motivation to do something good because we have been plagued with the deadliest disease of all: selfishness.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/28/sports/tokyo-olympics#sunisa-lee-family
Close your eyes and imagine. Imagine wanting something more than anything you've ever wanted in your entire life. Wanting something so bad that you train for hours a day, 365 days a year, for 5 years straight, with only one chance to prove your worth, and then competition time rolls around the corner and something happens. Suddenly, you are traveling alone, going to an unfamiliar place, leaving your loved ones behind. Congratulations- you are now an athlete in the 2020 Olympics. After thinking long and hard about what to do after Japan declares a state of emergency, the Olympics decide to ban all spectators, leaving participants performing for empty stands, wondering if it was even worth it anymore. However, no matter the setbacks that our athletes have faced, they persevered and won medals for their countries, such as Suni Lee who won gold for the U.S. in gymnastics. Families of participants have been celebrating from afar, hosting parties, and toasting our nation. Even though our athletes are traveling through foreign territory they are performing and competing anyways, representing our country to the best of their ability.
“Why People Are So Awful Online”
Don’t click it. Don’t. You. Dare.
Despite my internal pleas, I clicked on the YouTube notification, found myself face to face with an inappropriate reply involving unspeakable numbers and emojis, and clicked off the tab.
Like Roxane Gay, I’ve been getting mixed messages from the internet. In many ways, the online world is wonderful. Gay had the opportunity to find an extended writer community beyond her school. I’ve gotten the chance to geek out about Marvel and watch hilarious YouTube videos. Yet this same world is home to, as Gay notes, pointless arguments, racists, homophobes, xenophobes, transphobes, and lo-and-behold, encounters like mine where “straight-up trolls gleefully wreak havoc.”
While Gay cites this awful online behavior to be the result of “a desperate yearning for emotional safety,” I think otherwise. The internet gives the luxury of anonymity, something most people don’t have in real life. If someone feels like starting an argument, spreading fake news, or making a racist comment, they can do so online, because “why not?” There’s no one who’s going to hold them accountable for it if people don’t know who’s behind that fake profile picture and username.
In the end, it’s difficult to completely avoid encountering bad behavior on the internet, so I agree with Gay’s approach: instead of investing so much time online, it’s time to put down our phones and spend more time developing real relationships with real people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/19/opinion/cuba-protest-freedom-youth.html?referrer=masthead
Today, history is being made as Cubans protest against the tyranny of their President, Miguel Diaz-Canal. Social movements like this teach us that regardless of our age and location, we should always challenge the status quo and defend our rights.
On July 11, protestors flooded the streets of San Antonio de los Baños. In “The New Generation of Cubans Who Won’t Be Silenced”, Yoani Sánchez describes that the protests were driven by the younger generation’s “desire for freedom, the hope of living in a country with opportunities, [and] the fear of becoming the weak and silent shadows that their grandparents have become” (1), which shows how badly they want justice for Cuba. Unlike their older counterparts, young Cubans are willing to fight against their government so that change can finally be made. They are not afraid of the consequences they would face because they know that their cause is worth fighting for. They “will not be silenced again” (2) and will continue to protest for their basic human rights.
Sánchez’s article brings attention to the endless corruption in Cuba. I love how she puts emphasis on the role that the younger generation plays in the protests. It inspires me to question our society and stand up for what I believe in despite what others may say. It also serves to remind people that young voices have the great power to make a difference in the world.
"The Skateboarders Taking Over Are Among the Youngest Olympians in Tokyo" (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/26/sports/olympics/skateboarding-skateboarders-tokyo-olympics.html)
This caught my attention because when I look at The NY Times, I see a lot of negative articles. I know that this is because a lot of negative things have been happening around the world but I just didn't want to read something about Coronavirus or deaths. I saw the skateboarding article and I clicked it because I used to like skateboarding and its good to see something positive once in a while. That's really the only reason I chose this article. It was positive and I like skateboarding.
I was in 5th grade when I went to my first planetarium—I came in ecstatic and joyful, hearing great things about the place—in contrast, I left feeling heartbroken and defeated.
When the speaker had displayed the effects of light pollution, his voice had changed tone, becoming more sorrowful than lighthearted—my friends and family had grown quiet, and the entire room’s atmosphere had changed as we witnessed the skies lose their bright lights.
In “What Animals see in the Stars, and What They Stand to Lose,” Sokol talks about the effects of the dulling stars and how animals could lose sources of navigation. Animal vision experts made discoveries in South Africa through observing nocturnal dung beetles and how they were guided by the light-years-long streak. But through this observation, researchers suspect that several animal species could alternatively use stars as navigation—and with the adversity of air and light pollution caused by humans, the tools for navigation could be lost.
“The Pandemic Habit We Should Not Break”
It’s nearly been two years, but we have managed to find a vaccine for Covid-19. The virus at the beginning was worrisome and something worth taking precaution, but now people are caring less about the possibility of catching the virus.
Normally, people stop doing things once they start to die out in popularity, and the same thing is happening with the habits we learned during the pandemic. Everyone is dropping the habit of washing their hands. They use the bathroom and walk out not knowing what could be on their hand. To my surprise, more than 50 percent of people do not wash their hands after being on public transportation, using shared equipment or handling money. Take a moment to realize how gross that is. The handles you touched could potentially contain harmful bacteria.
Before the virus became a serious matter, I admit to not washing my hands before eating or after using the bathroom. Now that I reflect upon it, I feel icky and nasty. Luckily, articles like this could still help save the lives of millions by showing its significance.
My mother and father still enforce this habit of washing my hands now because my mother is protective over my health and my father is a medical scientist at Pfizer. Both of them always remind me to wash my hands and to take care of my hygiene every single day.
The article is providing useful advice that is supported by doctors and trained professionals, so keep in mind to wash those hands!
“Iraq Reclaims 17,000 Looted Artifacts, It’s Biggest-Ever Repatriation”
Iraq is reclaiming over 17,000 stolen artifacts, distributed all over the world. The United States is returning many looted items, stolen around the time of the US invasion, (~2003). Iraqi terrorist organizations, such as Isis, used revenue from selling Iraqi artifacts to fund their organization. Isis was also a large contributor to the stolen goods market, in addition to the USA.
I’m happy that Iraq is getting back a large part of their history, and it’s a shame that the artifacts were stolen in the first place. I hope that missing/stolen artifacts around the world will all find their way back home.
Nobody wants to live in a nursing home. Somethings got to give.
This article caught my attention because the idea of nursing homes is so random and irrelevant in my life today, yet completely relevant to my life and is something I have pondered. When I think of nursing homes, I think of dull rooms with floral sheets, bad food and unfriendly staff. This is obviously not how I would like to spend the last years of my life.
But I have learned this is not the case. My great grandma is 95 years old, and, due to her condition, has been to various nursing homes. As I have gone to visit my grandma, at many of these places, I know that not all nursing homes are created equal. The place my grandma is staying now is a lovely farm with horses and beautiful woods and every time you walk in the door, the aroma of homemade cooking hits you. This is the kind of place I would like to spend my final years.
This article caught my eye because yes, nursing homes get a bad reputation. But these last few years I have observed the best of them. So, while the idea of growing old and living in a nursing home may seem bad, I disagree with the image portrayed in this article. Yes, not all nursing homes are as great as the ones I have seen. But, they are not all old fashioned and worn down like the image portrayed in the article. So, while the idea of living in a nursing home may be a nightmare to some, if I am fortunate enough to live long enough to make it to one, I look forward to it.
"The Main Reason for Your Pandemic Boredom"
Books, a double edged sword that can be either so boring that you hate it or so good that it becomes very time-consuming. For me, books were always the former. Due to being forced to read books that I didn’t like during my freshman year of high school, I grew to hate books. Once the school year ended, I felt so much better. Finally, I would have a break from reading those books that I detested. Although summer break was fun for a couple of days, I quickly became bored.
Jessica Grose’s article, “The Main Reason for Your Pandemic Boredom” explains why she and many other people feel bored at home during the pandemic. Near the end of the article, she informs readers “that boredom doesn’t just have to be a negative thing -- it can also be a wake-up call encouraging you to find activities that are more meaningful.”
This is exactly what happened during the summer, and I came to love reading books. Yes, the same thing I hated a couple of months back. However, these were not books that I was forced to read, rather the ones that I wanted to read. Over the past few weeks, I’ve read a variety of books from historical fiction to self-help. I’m extremely happy that my boredom caused me to find something that I liked. Although it has been very time-consuming, reading books has cured my pandemic boredom and become an activity that I thoroughly enjoy.
Jill Biden Attends Olympic Opening Ceremony in Tokyo
Five weeks before the Paralympics, 400-meter individual medley world record holder Becca Meyers lost out on her Olympic dream. Why? Being blind and deaf, she requires a PCA (personal care assistant) to help her navigate through life. But because of COVID restrictions, the USOPC forbid her to bring a PCA to Tokyo. After an emotional breakdown at the Rio 2016 Olympics because she couldn’t find the cafeteria by herself, she made a promise to never let a similar situation happen again.
The NYT article describes Jill Biden sitting in the stands cheering for team USA. Meanwhile, Meyers sits at home in despair, watching her competition compete on the world’s biggest stage. As a swimmer who’s trained for many competitions, I can imagine how devastated Meyers feels. You go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in an instant. If PCAs Paralympians rely on to compete aren’t allowed, then certainly Biden shouldn’t be in Tokyo. During this pandemic, she can remain in the US, supporting the team through social media and congratulating them when they arrive home. No spectators means NO SPECTATORS!
I support Meyers’ decision not to acquiesce to the USOPC’s unjust ruling, and I hope other athletes will refuse to participate in the Olympics if USOPC attempts to enforce unjust rules. I feel especially infuriated that the USOPC made it impossible for Meyers to compete while making an exception for Biden.
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
As a teenager, this article was immediately of interest to me. Partly because of being a student that experienced online school etc. Also, because of my love for numbers and statistics, I was interested to see how much numbers have changed over the course of one year. One of these stats that did surprise me however, is the amount of sleep among all age groups. There seems to have been very little change in sleep patterns among 15-24 year olds. This is surprising because a vast majority of people I know go to bed super late and have to wake up early to be ontime for school. There have been many substantial changes to my life as a result of COVID-19. One being connection to friends oversea. During my time at home, I found entertainment and connection through playing video games. However, I eventually realized that this was becoming a detriment to my school work and to my desired sport (golf). Further into the article, I do come to realize how much parents are willing to sacrifice for their children. Similarly to what the article states, my mom had to "juggle" teaching, cooking, parenting, and many other things into her already busy schedule. Finally, I found the change in amount of time working at home and at the workplace very interesting. In conclusion, COVID may have been an inconvenience to all of us, however, we should always remember the importance of our families in order to always remain connected.
Who’s Afraid of Big Numbers?
As globalization progresses, bringing with it ever greater complexity, one pattern emerges from the entropy: everything is becoming much, much larger. From net worth to the tons of toilet paper we use, the millions of the past are swiftly becoming the billions and trillions of the future.
But does the prevalence of larger numbers mean that we intuitively grasp their relative size? Aiyana Green and Steven Strogatz illustrate just how these quantities scale up to each other: “A million seconds is about 12 days. And a billion seconds? That’s about 32 years… A million seconds is a brief vacation; a billion seconds is a major fraction of a lifetime.” When we encounter these numbers in familiar contexts, their sizes suddenly become tangible.
It’s a tendency worth noting: many phenomena feel significant only when they happen to us. But making the extra effort to envision what isn’t right before our eyes might prove worthwhile. These are the kind of mental exercises that can get us past glib assertions like “it’s only five kilotons of carbon dioxide” or “sure, billionaires have more wealth.” Even if I’ve been vaccinated, understanding what “95% effective” means in practice might encourage me to keep wearing a mask when I’m around others who are still vulnerable—not only because it’s the right thing to do, but in case an unexpectedly dire tomorrow arrives sooner than my scale of the future can predict.
"The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time"
This article caught my attention this week since my time is being spent very differently than it used to. In 2020, I spent a lot more time at home while being on my phone for hours at a time. My screentime would be around 10 hours. On the other hand, in 2019 I used to have lower screentime. It was probably around 5 hours. I remember 2020 being a stressful and boring year for my family and I. My parents had little to no work for a while and we were struggling with bills because of the pandemic. Since they had less work, we had more time together at home. This gave us the opportunity to eat meals together, play board games, and learn more about each other. We also made sure to stay in contact with our friends and family. This included video calls and texting. Constantly talking to my friends helped me through the pandemic. We would talk about any issues going on in our personal lives, give each other advice, and help comfort one another.
This article reminded me that everyone was going through their own struggles as the pandemic affected their lives in many different ways. Shoutout to parents for juggling between their children's needs, work, cooking, and housework. I am very thankful for my parents doing what they could during the pandemic to ensure my brother and I could still be okay.
Hopefully, the pandemic will come to an end soon and we can all flourish and finally become a part of the future we have always dreamed of.
"How Nations Are Learning to ‘Let It Go’ and Live With Covid"
With the Covid-19 pandemic being around for well over a year, citizens are becoming increasingly impatient with all the safety restrictions as a result of the virus. Governments in Asia, Europe, and the Americas are encouraging citizens to simply ease back into their pre-pandemic routines, and begin to "learn to live with the virus". However, some are worried that ignoring the virus will ultimately take a harmful turn. With certain precautions being lifted in various countries, it all circles back to personal responsibility, and how willing others are to finally bring the pandemic to a complete close.
There is no doubt that a majority of the public is tired of Covid restrictions, myself included. However, over time, I found myself adapting and getting used to these obstacles. Personally, I understand that in order for the pandemic to be over quicker, as a community, everybody must comply with the rules and recommendations to help restrict the spread of the virus. This includes getting vaccinated, which already allowed for a drastic decrease in the number of cases in the past. Going back to normal is very important, but cannot be attained if cases continue to rise, especially with the new Delta variant. It's easy to ignore that the Covid-19 virus still lingers. Many seem to forget that it is still a grave risk that continues to impact millions of people every day.
“Even A World Record Doesn’t Always Guarantee Olympic Gold.”
I couldn’t imagine setting a world record--an amazing feat--and still not winning gold. It seems to go against all logic. A record carries a connotation of winning. That’s why this article caught my attention; I wanted to know which unfortunate athlete missed out on the gold and actually holding the world record.
Warholm (Norway) and Benjamin (USA), the two runners that ran the records, are testaments to how much better athletes have gotten over the past few years. The athleticism, strength, and speed of modern athletes make the elite athletes of the past look like high school students. It’s happened in all sports. I’ve seen ten-year-olds on my Instagram doing vaults that won gold 50 years ago. It’s incredible to see how these athletes have pushed themselves to such speeds. Overall, this article acts as an example of the disappointment, pride, euphoria, anxiety, and awe that comes with watching the Olympics. If so many people can set records in just one race (including nationals), then who’s to say what can or can’t be done.
What if Highways Were Electric? Germany Is Testing the Idea.
This article is an informative article regarding a new technology developed and currently being tested by Germany. The technology is to make the trucks on highways have access to electricity instead of employing diesel to run the vehicle. This approach has been invented to decrease emissions from trucks and mitigate the effects of climate change. This technology is like the technology used for trains where there are wires hanging on the top of the train which the train uses to move. Despite this invention, Germany also looked at utilizing hydrogen, but they found out that it was too expensive and inefficient. Nevertheless, this new invention is exorbitant ($5 million per mile), but the German ministry revealed that this system was the most successful and efficient. Overall, I chose this article because it grasped my attention when I first glanced at it and was interested in discovering how a highway could be electric. As I kept reading this article, I became more engrossed in this new technology and was amazed when a part of this technology was experimented near The Port of Los Angeles. Last but not least, this article astonished and made me intrigued in pondering that if this technology becomes successful, will the US do something about making our highways electric or expand its interest in electric cars so as to reduce negative effects on our climate.
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mind-Set"
I grew up a die hard gymnastics fan. The most elite gymnasts like Gabby Douglas, Kerri Strug, and Simon Biles were idols in my eyes. From the young age of four to age twelve, I would feel the stress of gymnastics competitions. As I grew up trying to balance such a competitive, physically and mentally challenging sport on a daily basis for hours on end with academics it became mentally draining, so eventually I quit. I may have lost a sport I loved but I gained back control in my life.
Simon Biles is arguably the best gymnast the United States has ever produced, with an astounding amount of Olympic gold medals to prove it. In the 2021 Summer Olympics when she put the needs of her mental health and teammates above her strive for more gold, she proved to be a leader on and off the mats. With the world in debate over whether she's a "quitter" or a "hero", I stand by the strength it must have taken for her to back down from the Olympics to allow herself the time to rest, regroup, and still give her team a chance to medal.
Not many people will truly understand the massive weight put on Olympians, but Simone knew the limits she could push herself too. Athletes from high school, to college, to Olympic level have extra stress to deal with, which often leads to mental health issues. Therefore, when seeing Simone's story, it is inspiring to know even an elite gymnast such as herself can have self-care and be a champion.
"Texts"
The picture "texts" to me represents the control technology has over us. The image is depicting a boy on his phone under a pile of text messages. Seeing the boy under all these messages conveys the idea that we are in some way restrained by technology. I think procrastination is a form of restrain. For example, I could be doing homework when I suddenly get a text message from a friend who sent me a TikTok video. I open my phone and watch the video. I think that I have done at least 5 math problems and I can take a small five minute break. However, I get distracted and keep scrolling, and that five minute break turns into a one hour break. Then I remember my math homework is sitting in front of me unfinished. So in conclusion this picture resembles the restraint technology holds on us.
“Biden Declares Pride Month, Vowing Push for L.G.B.T.Q. Rights” by Annie Karni
Pride month is an extremely important time for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and the community in general, to be recognized and acknowledged. In addition, it brings the issue more into the public eye, meaning that more people are aware and talking about it.
The formal acknowledgement of June as Pride month is an important milestone because it further puts Pride month onto the front page and the minds of people all across America. I think that simply talking about the LGBTQ+ community is one of the most important things that comes with this month, as it allows people to better understand and figure out their own identity.
Conversations with friends, teachers, and parents, along with characters in shows and books, tell us things about the world. With Pride month come the discussions about different parts in the community and about supporting those who are part of it. Knowing that it is possible to be gay, bisexual, nonbinary, or genderfluid means that people know it is possible for them to be part of this community too.
"Simone Biles, in a Comeback, Takes Bronze on the Balance Beam"
Simone Biles is seen as a super human and in some ways she is. In other ways she is just like you and me and goes through anxiety and dealing with pressure everyday, except she has millions watching her ready to see the best routine of their lives. Even her friend and teammate Sunisa Lee continues to idolize Simone saying, “she’s Simone Biles, and she means everything to the sport”.
As much as we the audience feel connected to these athletes we have no clue what they are really going through. Seeing what Simone had to say and by dropping out of multiple events proves that. Simone stated, “at the end of the day, we’re not just entertainment, we’re humans”. These talented athletes go through so much more than one person can handle. Even hearing that Caleb Dressel, who won five Olympic gold medals for swimming in Tokyo, lost ten pounds in one week from all the stress proves that Simone is not alone. It isn't normal to have the weight of a sport on your shoulders. Hopefully mental health at the Olympics will become a bigger conversation. It was a brave move for Simone to speak up and stand for her health before the sport. Not everyone feels the same, "the way Biles has been treated on social media has been less positive." Simone did what was right for her and no one else's opinions matter. No medal is more important than someone's well being.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/world/americas/inside-mexicos-most-terrified-city-fresnillo.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
"We're Living in Hell": Inside Mexico's Most Terrified City
Oscar Lopez
Mexico has always been a hotbed for organized crime and international drug cartels. Many criminals find Mexico to be the perfect spot for trafficking drugs as it's weak and corrupt central government is perfect for delving into large-scale criminal endeavors. It is also has a significant geographic advantage as Mexico borders the largest consumer of narcotics in the world, the United States.
I personally never realized how much organized crime really affected law-abiding citizens in Mexico. I was always under the impression that cartels took out prominent cartel rivals or government officials that would throw a wrench in their plans. Fresnillo, a town that is right in the middle of one of the areas with the largest amount of cartel activity, has felt the effects of the reckless violence caused by the cartels. According to Mexico's national statistics agency, 96% of the town's inhabitants feel unsafe. Innocent people such as Guadalupe have had family members taken from them for no apparent reason. Mexico's needs to find a new, effective approach to this problem. President Obrador's "hugs not bullets" approach is proving ineffective, as in his presidency, murders have only gone down about 1%. Mexico needs change now to protect innocent cities like Fresnillo.
"The Olympics Rely On, but Don't Support, Black Girl Magic"
Some of the biggest names and most talented competitors in the Olympics are black women, but many don't know what they face behind the scenes. This article highlighted just a few injustices that black female Olympic athletes have faced, and I realized how little we can actually see and know just from watching at home. So much racism, sexism, and discrimination goes on that viewers often don't know about.
Simone Biles is one of the best gymnasts in the world, and consistently has performed extraordinarily at the Olympic Games. However, after performing some of the her most difficult and impressive moves the judges still marked her lower scores than deserved. Naomi Osaka received backlash for not being "polite and pleasant" enough in her interviews. She also has pressure to win gold because otherwise she is seen as too Black or not Japanese enough. Gwen Berry has done a lot of protesting racism and injustice, but the Olympic committee made it "clear she'd better behave on the medal stand - or else".
Olympic athletes, particularly black women should be able to stand up against the injustices they face everyday, particularly when they are competing. It is a shame to see that the Olympic Committee is hiding these incidents and not allowing athletes to stand up for themselves. It is important to not be blinded by the excitement of the Olympics, and pay attention to these injustices.
The Pandemic Changed How We Spent Our Time
When I discuss the pandemic with my parents, I see their point of view of living in the pandemic world. Being in their late 40’s, the pandemic touched them differently than me, a teenager in high school.
When I think about the pandemic from a perspective, there were things I would have liked to do and did not get to, but at the end, the pandemic did not drastically change my life. I sometimes wonder, what is the worst age to be in, when the pandemic is happening? At first, it was the seniors who felt alone and were the ones to protect. Then I realised, that going into a first grade of elementary school, while online and learning how to write and read must be really hard and that is not talking about their parents who need to juggle work, cooking and teaching at the same time. Or what about people who lost their job and were struggling. That is why I thought, that my generation was the one which was affected the least.
When I looked at the graphs in the article it showed the other way. The only group that decreased to exercise was 15-24 years old. The ones who cooked less were teenagers, while what we can call “bad habits” like gaming and using technology did rise widely among the age range. By their actions it seems, that teenagers suffered widely. So, I wonder, should we talk more about how the pandemic affected young people?
"Survivor of Louisiana Lift Boat’s Capsizing Tells How He Escaped
This article got my attention this week because it provided me with an inside perspective of someone in an emergency situation. I often hear about these sort of tragedies, whether it be a burning building, car accident, or a sinking boat, but it is not often I will get to learn about what really happens from the viewpoint of a survivor.
One of the six survivors of the capsizing, Dwayne Lewis, describes waking up from a peaceful nap to having his world turned upside down, quite literally. Instead of letting his fear take control, Lewis recalls his training and goes through with the procedure that saved his life. He puts on his life jacket, breaks a window, and gets sucked into the sea.
While the mere sight of the boat capsizing may have thrown some into a frenzy, Lewis kept a level head and never gave up, even when the relentless waters were tossing him around like a rag doll. For almost four hours he kept holding on. I can only imagine Lewis's relief when the crew of another vessel finally rescued him,
The admiration I have for Dwayne Lewis is what truly made me want to write about him this week. He was almost completely powerless throughout the whole ordeal, and he still managed to survive. The article really makes me think twice about survivors who have similar experiences to Lewis.
"In Praise of Congee"
Growing up in Shanghai, I have no memories of craving for congee.
Boiled water and rice seasoned with soy sauce and a touch of dried kale borecole, the dish clearly lacked the bubbly excitement of a hotpot feast or the richness of a plate of Mapo tofu. Instead, it was almost a namesake for boredom and a lethargic day spend in bed when you get a fever in my early childhood.
But Zoë’s article woke me with the aroma of a gooey and warm embrace. It invites me to reconsider the elegance and power in the simplicity of a bowl of congee - the baseline food for the Chinese civilization and culture. Throughout history, the easy, economical dish “served as a stopgap against hunger.” It was the food for the collective; it was where the rich and diverse Chinese cuisine culture originated. Water and grain. Basic, ubiquitous, but also in a way remarkable. Something tender that held all of us together.
Now, as I think about my mom in the kitchen on the electric stove, stirring the rice in her metal pot, I picture them: a chain of women living close together, gathered in dowdy, dim kitchens, cooking on temperamental stoves fueled by wood or coal.
It’s fascinating to think how the dish, as if inscribed in the genetic code of Chinese women, passed unaltered from mother and daughter every generation.
Now I feel the comfort in each spoonful. Now I feel the historical and cultural weight in the humble mushiness.
“From mush we originate – to mush we’ll return.”
“What’s that?” my brother wondered aloud. Sitting next to him in our car, I looked up from my phone. I was absolutely astonished; hundreds of vehicles drove in a line on the other side of the highway with drivers waving American, TRUMP 2020, and some Confederate flags. We drove past the car rally for several minutes until it slowly dwindled out of sight. “That’s going to cause a huge traffic jam,” my dad chuckled. All I could think was, What in the world has become of American politics?
Sarah Maslin Nir has an answer. In her article, “A Fourth of July Symbol of Unity That May No Longer Unite,” she notes a flaw in politics. “Politicians of both parties have long sought to wrap themselves in the flag. But something may be changing: Today, flying the [American] flag from the back of a pickup truck or over a lawn is increasingly seen as a clue, albeit an imperfect one, to a person’s political affiliation in a deeply divided nation.” The article delves into people’s positive and negative experiences with the American flag and how it’s become a Republican symbol, dividing our politicians and, in turn, dividing our country instead of uniting us as a single nation.
I realized that I view the American flag much more negatively than I did in the past. This makes me sad because I want all Americans to view the flag with pride. I want Americans to unite to solve problems so we can take pride in a flag representing a diverse but united nation with fewer political traffic jams.
"After a scorching, parched summer across much of the U.S., what will August bring?"
In the past few years climate change has taken a stronger grip over the country. Droughts relieved by monsoons are no more and tropical weather has gotten more extreme globally. In July, Record heat and fires scorched the West Coast. However, in the East cities like NYC had record rainfall. While the tropics have been quiet, peak season is around the corner. The biggest story though in July were the expansive areas of wildfires up the West Coast and into Canada. Millions of Acres of burned land isn't the only problem though as the Western portion of the country is facing terrible air quality as a result. I believe while the fires may subside due to cooler weather reaching the Pacific Northwest, heat and tropical weather will dominate August. When will enough be enough and we finally realize this can't happen every year. Extreme seasonal changes have drastic effects in locations that expect and need certain weather. Let's hope August is better but my hopes are low.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/arts/france-culture-pass.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage
It is laughable that the French government is just throwing money like its low-income citizens don't need it. Paris, the city of love, has become uninhabitable for low-income french and instead of helping them out the French government decides that it needs to give away millions for culture.
I imagine that the bill also took time to work on which means that it took time from more important bills. Time from reforming the pension plan or or bring in more jobs to help low-income French.
The article entitled “Why Vaccinated People Are Getting “Breakthrough Infections” written by Apoorva Mandavilli covers a rather significant issue within present-day society. Granted, most people end up vaccinated; however, that does not mean everyone will end up vaccinated. Even for those who are vaccinated, they are still extremely prone to attaining a mutation of the disease, the Delta variation. That prompts the question; are we really all safe?
Countless people encounter each other, and with a variation of COVID which already has a skyrocketing infection rate, it is only a matter of time before another massive outbreak may occur. Students worldwide are unable to perform as exceptionally as before the breakout of the pandemic, various masses of adults have been unable to work due to the virus limiting much needed human contact. Indeed, society slowly appears to be rebuilding itself in such a manner to overcome such an unpredictable event, however we can only go oh-so-far.
As a student, the struggle to attain some sort of success has been heavily reduced; each day is mere an onslaught upon attaining motivation. Attaining success is quite difficult to acquire for countless pupils worldwide. This virus has not only claimed thousands of lives; but it also caused the human species collectively to suffer, forcing us to find some sort of way to counter the fortification slowly consuming our spirit and willingness to overcome boundaries.
Unveiling of Diana's Statue reunites William and Harry, Briefly
Mark Landler
Those who keep up with the Royal Family know that there is an undeniable rift between the two brothers that much of the world has grown to love. Due to serious accusations made by Prince Harry and his wife, former actress Meghan Markle. Claiming the royal family to be racist and to have disregard Meghan's previous mental health struggles. Not only causing the couple, Harry and Meghan to remove themselves from the royal family, but also moving to California. Causing the two brothers to no longer be on speaking terms. In the article, it expresses that Prince William's mal feelings toward the couple due to interviews Meghan and Harry have done. Although the two are obviously unhappy with one another they are still family. Their mother Diana had died in a car crash 24-years ago devastating not only her two boys but the entire world. Diana had an undeniable presence that brought so much joy to others. In celebration of what would have been her 60th birthday, the family reunited to reveal a statue in her honor in “The Sunken Garden, below the apartment she used to live in” (Landler). Her sons revealed the statue together, flashing smiles every now and then, but remaining at a distance from one another. I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that I hope it is not long before the brothers put their differences aside and realize that family is more important.
As a kid, I romanticized high school. Forget the days of carefree existence, naptime, and playtime—I itched for the grown-up, consequential world of High School Musical and Friday Night Lights. My childhood only seemed to trap me in a tunnel, and high school was the light at the end of it.
Though I eventually realized that high school is more than just football and musicals, not even my sulky-teenager complex would have narcissistically imagined that my freshman year of high school would be relegated to days spent in isolation over a laptop.
You can understand my disappointment.
In “Why Teens Need a Break This Summer,” Lisa Damour notes how psychologically worn down teens have been and explains why they need to recover, asserting that we mustn’t overambitiously rush back to normalcy. Contrary to our society’s desire to constantly overachieve, it is necessary to “give teenagers room to process what they have been through,” and even grieve. Teenagers are already powering through one of the most challenging stretches of their lives—and that was without a global pandemic.
When we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we often try to rush towards it as quickly as possible. But sometimes it is essential to pause, look inward rather than forward, and acknowledge where we are and have been. Although the light of a potentially normal summer has started to trickle in, I now know that sometimes it is important to sit in the darkness and reflect. Even if the light begins to fade.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/arts/television/mundo-kids-hispanic-tv.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CClub%20Mundo%20Kids%2C%E2%80%9D%20a,Spanish%20to%20reach%20Latino%20audiences.&text=She%20is%20joined%20by%20two,Maya%2C%20a%20plush%20pink%20puppet.
“ ‘A Sense of Belonging’ for Hispanic Children, With Puppets”
Proper representation of different cultures in the media has been a concern of mine for a while, particularly with diversity. Although Hispanic children have been given well-executed shows that represent their culture such as “Sesame Street” and “Dora the Explorer,” most television shows, at least, from what I have been noticing lately, mostly show Caucasian or African Americans. Do not get me wrong, black representation is very important and should continue. However, at least, in the media that I’ve been exposed to, I rarely ever see an Asian or Hispanic person, and if I do, they are either the “extras” in the background or they are one of the supporting characters, especially in children’s shows.
Seeing this article on how a new television series would be speaking directly to Hispanic children, I was feeling rather proud. Especially since the show host is bilingual. Speaking both English and Spanish, one could say that she gets “the best of both worlds,” and being the daughter of an interracial couple, I feel that, in a way, I relate to her. In hosting the show, she is doing her part in helping Hispanic children find their own voice, and helping them feel heard.
"Simone Biles Just Demonstrated a True Champion Mindset"
I've always been a die-hard fan of Simone Biles. I mean with her strength, grit, and pure perseverance, how could you not? Watching the 2016 Olympics in Rio, I was enthralled by her every move. But one thought always lingered in the back of my mind- how does she balance her health with the pressure? And it's a very hard thing to do when millions of people are criticizing your every move. As the article mentioned, knowing your boundaries, and when to stop pushing them is a vital skill. Biles's decision took mounds of bravery and courage, but in the end, she decided to do what was best for herself. She's instigated a whole new conversation about the Olympics and mental health that needed to be discussed. Simone Biles has dealt with so much, including sexual assault, and yet she is expected to go on, performing to the same standards. Enough is enough. Simone Biles is a woman that has inspired millions of women across the world and brought the topic of mental health to the forefront. She's accomplished so much in her 24 years of living, and if a break is necessary, she deserves it.
In the end, Biles chose not to keep perpetuating the ridiculously high expectations Olympians are held to. Instead, she put herself first. As she herself said, “At the end of the day, we’re human, too, so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do,"
"Unvaxxed, Unmasked, and Putting Our Kids at Risk"
For over a year, the coronavirus pandemic had completely changed our lives. Our new normal had consisted of six feet distances and mask wearing. Although, with the creation of the vaccine it had given most of us hope that our lives could soon get back to normal. Our health and safety lies within getting vaccinated and the continued use of masks. Yet, there are still some people who take their health for granted for reasons like the idea that it strips away their freedom as an American. However, do you think those reasons for refusing to get a simple shot or using a mask outweigh the safety of others? While some people are unvaccinated or maskless because of access problems, those who are fully capable of getting the shot are completely ignoring the lives they are risking. In this article, it discussed the author's daughter Layla who was born three months early due to a life-threatening disorder called HELLP syndrome. Ever since she was born Layla's mother had to live with her daughter's life constantly being at risk. With children like Layla and others who have underlying health conditions, catching this virus can lead to a worse case scenario before you even know it. While some may deem our anger as an overreaction, this virus is not something to take lightly. Not only that but, if there are ways to prevent yourself and those around you from obtaining it then there is no reasonable excuse to not do the right thing.
"How to Calm Your Climate Anxiety"
This article caught my eye because previous to reading this article I did not know that the climate could actually cause mental health issues. For instance, in the article it mentions how higher temperatures are linked to depressive language and higher suicide rates. Also, the article mentions how fires, hurricanes and heat waves carry risks of trauma and depression. I found this interesting because I always knew that people were concerned about the environment but never to the degree of mental illness. Additionally, this article gives examples of people who have this condition. For instance, the article tells the story about a man from Southern California who lost his home in a wildfire and because of it is worrying a great amount about the world that his 14-year-old daughter will have to live in. Also, the article mentions a 16-year-old activist and how she expresses how adults don't understand the fear that her and her generation have to live in because of the actions of the past generations. When I had read these stories I felt sympathy with the people experiencing this trauma, and wished that they can receive the help that they deserve. Right after I thought this, the article actually mentioned ways to help with this climate anxiety. The article advised these people to connect with other people that think the same way and to take action against climate change themselves. In summary, this is a issue that should be discussed more often.
‘The pandemic changed how we spent our time’
During the pandemic, the number of steps slumped from 5000 to 300 on my phone. Time spent hanging out gradually translated into free time at home.
From the data in the article, I do conform to what high school students present - learning at home is not as efficient as at school. However, 2020 was not lonely but content: the free time was an opportunity for me to enjoy the family. I learned a new skill while staying at my grandparents' house during the lockdown. To pass the time after lunch, my grandmother taught me how to play mahjong.
This puzzle game was often played by the elders in my memory. Once as an onlooker, I was confused about their moves, seemingly casually won. My grandmother told me that mahjong was profound: it presented Confucianism’s "golden mean" and personal cultivation -- "do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you." All the qualities of an individual can be reflected in the level, mentality and momentum of the players who enter the game. In the process of training, I felt the charm of mahjong, and even read a book to study it.
Usually, I am stressed to set up a global perspective at school, but getting along with my grandmother is close to the tradition. The seemingly free time enabled me to learn the skill of playing a game and see the culture behind it. Perhaps we can cherish the leisure time brought by the pandemic and try something outside of our daily routine.
‘Arthur’ Is Ending After 25 Years
Sitting down on the sofa after a long day of elementary school, I would excitedly watch the newest episode of Arthur, pondering what it'd be about. To think that if little me were to know the show of his childhood wrapped up, he would definitely be heartbroken. I have been a fan of "Arthur" since I was 4-years old, watching and learning from the show has taught me many things. "Arthur" is a show that was made to interest kids of all ages, and it has been doing this now for 25 years, teaching things like be caring and kind to others. Key principles have been taught from Arthur to many kids, in a fun manner as the people themselves aren't even humans!
I remember watching "Arthur", seeing an aardvark, rabbit, monkey, and other animals meeting at a ice cream shop. The show taught that everyone is different but in a good way, some may be a different religion than others; similarly, while some may love academics, others love sports, hence, it showed these differences weren't bad. In addition, it also teaches things like showing sympathy and empathy, and being there for people.
I believe "Arthur" is a show that forever will be in the hearts of those who watched it. For this reason, it will never have an end to itself, letting us remember the principles it has taught us. Arthur has taught us how to cope with many realistic situations like bullying. Thus, I, and on behalf of everyone who has ever watched the show, say thank you to "Arthur".
@Purav Kaneria hi, just wanted to say arthur was a huge part of my childhood and i agree it will never die because it will always be in the hearts of the people who watch it. i hope kids in the generations to come will still learn a lot from arthur through reruns or something. Ive been watching it ever since i could remember and actually still watch it sometimes haha. Thanks to Arthur, as well as Marc Brown (the author of the books) for giving me a great childhood
" As Infections Rise C.D.C Urges some vaccinated Americans to wear masks again"
This article caught my attention this week because it brings awareness to having to potentially resume some restrictions and guidelines due to the rising of cases. In the article it is discussed that there is a new variant of the virus called the Delta Variant which is most common around those who are vaccinated. This is somewhat concerning because it never occurred to me that creating a vaccine to slow down one virus would eventually bring another virus along. Another factor in this article that caught my eye was that the Biden Administration is considering requiring all federal employees to be vaccinated. While this could lead to growth and moving forward this also could cause conflict for those who aren't comfortable with taking the vaccine. This then could lead to people having to choose between potentially losing their job or taking the risk of having complications due to the vaccine.
Restaurant Shuts Down for a ‘Day of Kindness’ After Customers Make Its Staff Cry
Reading this headline just made me sad. As we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, unfortunately, a new epidemic of unkindness has appeared. As restrictions are lifted, many people have forgotten how to be patient and understanding. While everyone has been longing to eat out at a restaurant for over a year, it seems they have disregarded their basic manners. Restaurants have struggled to stay in business, and on top of everything, they are facing shortages of food and staff. These shortages are resulting in fewer open hours, longer wait times, and unavailable dishes, rendering their jobs even harder. Their thanks for weathering this storm is their restaurant staff being bombarded by customers that are short-tempered and inconsiderate, leaving them in tears.
Here we are on the precipice of returning to normalcy, only to discover that isolation has caused people to lose their sense of humanity. This restaurant noted in the article that it was fighting to reopen, yet it had to close its doors because of the abuse its staff suffered. More disheartening, is that the article discusses how this story is not unique, with similar accounts reported throughout the country. Now, more than ever, while restaurants are still struggling to get back on their feet, we all need to remember that everyone is doing the best that they can. We need to support local businesses and remember to be compassionate and kind.
Restaurant Shuts Down for a ‘Day of Kindness’ After Customers Make Its Staff Cry
Reading this headline just made me sad. As we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, unfortunately, a new epidemic of unkindness has appeared. As restrictions are lifted, many people have forgotten how to be patient and understanding. While everyone has been longing to eat out at a restaurant for over a year, it seems they have disregarded their basic manners. Restaurants have struggled to stay in business, and on top of everything, they are facing shortages of food and staff. These shortages are resulting in fewer open hours, longer wait times, and unavailable dishes, rendering their jobs even harder. Their thanks for weathering this storm is their restaurant staff being bombarded by customers that are short-tempered and inconsiderate, leaving them in tears.
Here we are on the precipice of returning to normalcy, only to discover that isolation has caused people to lose their sense of humanity. This restaurant noted in the article that it was fighting to reopen, yet it had to close its doors because of the abuse its staff suffered. More disheartening, is that the article discusses how this story is not unique, with similar accounts reported throughout the country. Now, more than ever, while restaurants are still struggling to get back on their feet, we all need to remember that everyone is doing the best that they can. We need to support local businesses and remember to be compassionate and kind.
Children’s Closest Friends-Their Attachment Objects
When people experiencing the first stage of their life, they’re easily to get a special phenomenon which is showed as children are reluctant to leave an object. This object which is called “Attachment Object” by psychologists.
I have a furry toy turtle which cannot be substituted by any other toys, I sleep with him at night; talk to him like talking with my close friend; allow him to sit beside me when I was eating. Many years have passed, I still cannot leave him.
Then I began to worried because nether my friends nor my siblings play with toys anymore. I’m afraid that I will become a freak in the eyes of others, and I used to believe this is a phenomenon of psychological deficiencies.
Psychologists conclude that children do this in order to provide emotional outlet. A toy is like a listener, a close friend. They can give children enough company when they’re alone. Some children might talk to their toys like doing the soliloquy, this will promote their cerebral development. The dependence phenomenon usually coming an end when children grow up, but there are some adults who still keeping this custom. These people are more likely to show the emotion sensitiveness.
According to the investigation, this habit doesn’t show any adverse effect, but have positive guidance. The only thing these people have to do is to develop benign social relationships, and time will do the rest.
Children’s Closest Friends-Their Attachment Objects
When people experiencing the first stage of their life, they’re easily to get a special phenomenon which is showed as children are reluctant to leave an object. This object which is called “Attachment Object” by psychologists.
I have a furry toy turtle which cannot be substituted by any other toys, I sleep with him at night; talk to him like talking with my close friend; allow him to sit beside me when I was eating. Many years have passed, I still cannot leave him.
Then I began to worried because nether my friends nor my siblings play with toys anymore. I’m afraid that I will become a freak in the eyes of others, and I used to believe this is a phenomenon of psychological deficiencies.
Psychologists conclude that children do this in order to provide emotional outlet. A toy is like a listener, a close friend. They can give children enough company when they’re alone. Some children might talk to their toys like doing the soliloquy, this will promote their cerebral development. The dependence phenomenon usually coming an end when children grow up, but there are some adults who still keeping this custom. These people are more likely to show the emotion sensitiveness.
According to the investigation, this habit doesn’t show any adverse effect, but have positive guidance. The only thing these people have to do is to develop benign social relationships, and time will do the rest.
How to calm your climate anxiety
When I was a kid, we used to visit my grandfather’s house every summer to taste the unsophisticated seasonal fruits. Jackfruit, mangoes, rose apples and many other seasonal fruits. At night we had to use special fans near the bed to keep it comfortable. Sometimes got the golden chance to roam around in northwestern Stormberg to collect the ripe mangoes whose fall in wind. The weather was just mind blowing those days. But now...
Even AC’s fails to give the same vibe those less expensive fans used to provide before. Thunderbolt falls more often these days making skip a heartbeat of those who has to stay in open mandated. Nothing is like before. This makes me think more about my future, my responsibilities towards the world. Making connections with my passion to world's wellbeing. Will I also turn into a reason for destroy rather decreasing the impact? Will I be the reason for my Asthma? Little steps from now will not be that happen. Stop using cosmetics, recycling waste materials, using less natural gas for cooking is what I can do for now but my personal mission will succeed only after I'll make buildings with green concrete in future.