12 - Em Lin - Play Hard, Rest Hard

 Week #12 - Play Hard, Rest Hard

    I use to be a very active and energetic kid when I was younger, and there was a park near our old house that I always begged my grandma to go to whenever I felt like going out and enjoying the weather. My brother and cousin would come along too, but we never had a plan on what we wanted to do, we were just excited to be outside and play. I don’t really remember what we enjoyed playing, but I know we were playing tag on that day. I don’t enjoy the feeling of being chased, so I have no idea why I decided to participate, but I guess it was fun nonetheless. That was until I begin running on this railing that surrounded the playground, and as a kid with very little balance, I took a nasty fall.

    I scrapped my thigh against the concrete railing, and the wound was about as big as my hand right now. I remember how much the wound stung, and how my tears felt like they were neverending as my dad came to pick me up. Sitting behind the driver seat, I watched my grandma quickly run up to the car with some toothpaste. Honestly, I still to this day have no idea how toothpaste would’ve helped that wound in any way, but in the end, it healed just fine, but to this day, the scar from that day is still visible, although quite faded, I’ve learned to always play hard, but play safely. 

Word count: 252

12 - Hailey M; At Peace

 At Peace

The beach has always been most people's favorite place to visit. Every summer, I see everyone making posts about going to the beach with their friends, playing in the sand, swimming in the saltwater, and having a fun time in general. There’s many fun activities to participate in at the beach, so it’s understandable why everyone enjoys going there so much. The beach is definitely the first choice of a fun summer activity, which isn’t really untrue. I agree that it is really fun at times, though getting sunburnt is my least favorite part. 

On the other hand, the mountains are rarely a place someone would go to for a vacation. This is why I believe I’d be more like the mountains rather than the beach. Up in the mountains, you’re far away from social situations, and it’s always quiet besides the sounds of the birds and other things involving nature. The sound of a stream running nearby, and the beautiful scenery included. I’d enjoy being more like the mountains because of the peace and tranquility they include. Everybody enjoys going to the beach, and I’d prefer being by myself and surrounded by trees and nature rather than in a social place in the heat. The sun and I don't really get along very well, and I always end up sunburnt, so being surrounded by trees and shaded areas sounds much more tempting. I definitely feel more at peace being in the mountains, and calmness and quiet is extremely relaxing, and I’d choose that feeling over having sand in my hair anyday. 

Word Count: 264

#12: A cheeseburger of a lifetime

      The longest line, cars lined up, weaving through a parking lot, everyone waiting to get the best cheeseburger in town. All around California, people travel leaps and bounds to order from the red and yellow dressed employees, with their funky hats, ordering tablets and 90's diner vibes.

     Once you've waited for what feels like a lifetime, but was only 30 minutes, you sip the vanilla milkshake; cold and creamy, slowly inching down your throat and filling your stomach with amazing chills, hoping it only gets better. Then, you have the joy of opening the fork, and digging into the French friends, piled with cheese, "special" sauce, and some caramelized onions. Eating each fry, one by one, filling your belly with the salty deliciousness. Lastly, taking a bite out of the juicy burger, cheese running down your lips, hungry for more after each and every bite. Hearing the lettuce crunch between your teeth provides a sense of familiarity to your ears; the onions provide a new spice to elevate the sandwich; the cheese adding a new texture to enhance the taste. It's a sense of safety and nostalgia. 

        I remember driving into the In and Out line once a week when I was little. Every single time, it was like heaven was a place on earth. The animal fries, a simple cheeseburger with raw onions, and a vanilla milkshake is the only route to take when heading through the amazingly long, but worth it, In and Out line.

12-Aaron palma: In my heart

 It is a weekly routine, my dad picks me up each Friday from school and we spend the entire day together.  

After finishing my homework I play with my little cousin and the dogs, but this isn't the main event of the day. My dad normally is sleeping while I do all of this, but he always ends up waking up when I ask him what we are going to eat.

It is a routinary question, that I already know the answer to. Week after week, month after month we always go to in n out each Friday afternoon. Although I know this,  I somehow still find it appropriate to ask where we are going out to eat, considering that he normally  pays.

With my first view visits to In n out when I was little, I was not fond of the burgers, but with time of going with my dad  I have fallen in love with the meal that I order.

"Can I please get a  Double Double with no onions, Fries, and a large Dr. Pepper" is what I tell the person taking our order.

My dad on the contrary  gets a triple triple with Animal fries, and a milkshake.

Although our orders are fairly different, in my opinion they both are really good. The taste in each bite is just exquisite. Apart from this the customer service at In n out is always on point.

All of these factors contribute to my believe that In n out is the best fast food place, but the biggest factor is the reason as to why I go to In out in the first place.

Having a day to bond with my dad is honestly great considering that I dont really see him. And best of all being able to share our fries when we go to In n out is just amazing.

12 - Abhishek S: Yeezy Yeezy Yeezy

Throughout time there have been greatly impactful artists who have challenged how people think and broke the boundaries of what we once thought possible. Arguably one of the most influential artists of the twenty-first century has been Kanye West for his career in music and work in fashion.

Kanye West has always been a pioneer in music from his early career as a producer for Roc-a-Fella Records and in his own career as an influential rapper. He popularized a new style of instrumental that centered pitched up soul samples that were different from any of the current production at the time. 

The most influential portion of his career is seen in his challenging of norms within the hip-hop community and inspiring a new generation of artists and new sound in hip-hop and music at large. At this time there was a commercialized image of what black artists and rappers were supposed to be. This usually involved rapping about drugs, violence, and whatever else the market determined was appropriate for black artists to be. Kanye challenged this with his debut album “The College Dropout”. On this album he didn’t attempt to portray himself as someone who was involved in gang life. He rapped about social issues, personal affairs, and his own emotions. Throughout his career with future albums he only doubled down on this formula by making his music increasingly more personal, never refraining from being vulnerable in his music. 

Kanye West is also the creator of the Yeezy brand in partnership with Adidas. Yeezy footwear had brought in over $1.7 billion dollars in 2020. He has expressed his passion for fashion since early in his career and has been able to market his ideas on an extremely large platform. He strives to go beyond fashion and into designing more sustainable and efficient cities. 

Kanye’s ambition and confidence to take on seemingly insurmountable tasks serves as an inspiration for so many other creative alike. For this reason Kanye and his art will stand the test of time.

12-Eliya A-Donadagohvi, oginalii

Donadagohvi, oginalii 

I’ve dealt with loss for a long time, and for the first time in a while, I actually felt like I had it figured out. Soon after, I lost my grandpa due to natural causes and it put me back into that stage, yet again. 

Ever since his death a couple weeks ago, I thought a lot. I tend to think about how I should deal with loss, why I should feel sad or if I should feel sad. Over the years I’ve learned to see death as just a part of living. In this case, it was better that he passed sooner rather than staying here suffering, and knowing that he is somewhere better is a bit relieving.

I feel like the term “loss” is just a word. yes, you can lose a person physically,  although the spirit of the person still stays with you, although you can’t see it. That person is always  there with you, over your shoulder.

We plan to spread his ashes later this summer over by fort Bragg, I feel like doing this will relieve loss on others too, like my dad and brother. I think what I’m trying to say here is that you should deal with loss in what way makes you feel comfortable, although you shouldn’t let it be a weight that you need to drag all the time. Over time,  I've learned that letting go, also helps in my coping mechanism. Again, loss is just a word to me, it’s rather a obstacle, depending on how you use it will give you different outcomes, although at the end, you get to the same finish line. 

12 - Cecylia B: Before I wake

Foster parents Mark and Jessie welcome 8-year-old Cody into their home after suffering the loss of their son. The boy tells Jessie that he's afraid to fall asleep, but she assumes it's just a natural fear for any kid. The couple become startled when their dead biological son suddenly appears in their living room. To their surprise, Cody's dreams can magically become real but so can his nightmares. Mark and Jessie must now uncover the truth behind Cody's mysterious ability before his imagination harms them all. Before I Wake isn’t a typical “happy ending” movie. It has many plot twists and it is a very clever movie. One great difference from other horror movies is that the boy Cody is sweet and not evil. At the end, the movie reveals the mystery of Cody’s nightmare. The monster in Cody’s nightmare turned out to be his biological mom. We also learned more about Cody’s mother. His mother loved Cody very much but she was sick and eventually died when Cody was very young. So, it was a very traumatic experience for young Cody. So, the monster is based on his fear of losing his mother. At the end, Jessie finally understands what was going on with Cody. So, when Jessie was face-to-face with the monster, she hugged the monster because the monster is nothing more than Cody’s traumatic experience of losing her mother. But it does appear that all those people who got eaten by the monster are gone forever including her husband. The feeling and emotion of love were a defining point in the movie, and it really opened me up like a waterfall. Thanks to the actors and the directors for making me feel something real, not superficial, in a completely unexpected way.

12-Jacob P- Wretched Creatures

Challenge: descriptive piece about an encounter with a spider. Every now and then, I decide to dedicate the entirety of my day cleaning my garage which contains me and my brother’s miniature man-cave. While I was cleaning the shaggy carpet near the right-side of the room, my heart felt as though it stopped once I saw that there were two shiny, black spiders carrying their signature maroon hourglass upon their large abdomen, hanging on a web that my hand nearly grazed. It only took me a second to instantly recognize that these intimidating creatures that were tucked between a cabinet and a shelf were black widows, the most venomous spider in the vaca-valley. Instantly, I tried searching for a way of eliminating these wretched creatures that would humanely rid my house of these dangerous pests as well as make it so the chances of the two spiders biting me and injecting me with their venom would be minimal . Eventually, I came across one of the most unique weapon that my family has to counteract home invaders such as the black widows, a salt gun. This gray instrument was able to quickly finish-off any bug or arachnid with a contained blast of salt shards. To us, it looks like miniature crystals that we use to season our food. To insects, it is equivalent to that of a shower of knives. Besides that, I immediately went back, with the salt gun on hand, to the same spot where I located the two black widows. Once I saw their shiny bodies reflecting from the light, I drew-up my gun to aim. Once I was sure that the gun would hit them, I pulled the hard plastic trigger until I felt a sudden vibration, followed by the sound of cracking, a puff of white dust, and the sound of salt peppering the floor below. As I checked the ground, I saw the two bodies of the black widows which were shriveled with their limbs locked. Seeing that, I immediately scooped the deceased insects with a piece of paper and threw them into the grass outside, letting nature handle decomposing the black widows. (349

12 - Mel B - In-N-Out

If you're from California you already know what i'm going to say. In N Out is the best fast food restaurant. Hands down. No discussion. there's always going to be that group of people that want to be different saying "it's too good" "their fries aren't even good and the foods not all that '' okay? you can have your own opinions but just shut up. In N Out tastes so good when you don't have a person in your ear telling you if it's good or not. 

    For me it's harder going out to eat in restaurants because it's so limited on what I could eat. i'm vegetarian and for the last two years I haven't really been able to eat fast food which is great because I don't want to end up with diabetes but back to what I was saying I do miss it sometimes and INO and Burger King fulfilled those needs because of the plant based items they have to offer. Even though the impossible whopper is good it's just way too expensive so the grilled cheese from in n 'out is left and i'm not complaining because it's so good especially with a side of animal fries and chopped chillies added to the fries and burger with a lemonade. 

    Especially getting it to eat in the car and eating it parked in a random parking lot under the stars and pretending to do a Mukbang is "top tier"  . I have my Trisha Paytas or Nikocado Avocado moments when eating is just really nice. 

word count 258

12- Peyton Miller- ¨Playing¨ The Game of Life

 ¨Playing¨ The Game Of Life

Most people associate the word ¨play¨ with videogames, outdoor activities, theater, etc. Well me, on the other hand, I associate it with life and the different eras you go through in your entire lifetime.

When I was younger, I would always create small scenario games in my head and input them throughout my day. Silly games like ¨how long can I hold my breath for¨ or ¨How long can I my eyes closed while walking before I fall¨. As I began to grow up, those type of things made me realize that life is sort of like a game. Like a game where your handed a box of chocolates when your born and get a new sensation of flavor with each different chocolate throughout the years of your lifetime.

With that it has always felt like im playing the game of life. Literally. Theres always ups and downs like a roller coaster in a roblox tycoon or in a Virtual reality game. When I look at my adversities and troubles I think ¨How can I play this out and win this game?¨ and each time I do, I just know. Especially when your competitive it helps, because your competing with these adversities and hardships that stop your gameplay. 

With any type of game, whether it be videogames, board games, or even games you make up with your friends, theres almost always a winner and a loser. I, on one hand, love to be the winner. Inputting that in life makes it so much more fun to keep going, and push through, and view life. Even when I know truly life really isnt a game its simply just life. 

Winning the game of life though, will always be my longing. The thing I strive for most. And as of now, its working. I aspire to have a life of this winning the small games that lead to the boss battle like at the end of a mario map or playing sonic, even if you have to lose some and always feel like all you see is the sight of a ¨game over¨ sign theres more lives to push that ¨try again¨ button. 

Word count: 367

12- Genecis Z: Childlike Innocence

         I have a two year old brother and he is the light of my life. I love him more than anything in this universe and he is by far the most important thing in my life without a doubt. He is a very joyful kid and is just a sun ray of happiness. 

I love playing outside with him, there is just something about how the sun hits his eyes and sandy brown hair that makes him radiate an angelic glow. For being around 3 feet he runs faster than I ever hope to. His favorite game is definitely chasing me around, I love hearing his tiny feet pitter patter behind me and his giggles are the most innocent sound in this not so innocent world. 

Another thing he loves to do is being tickled and tickling people. I oblige of course because his laughter is my favorite song. Although when it comes to him tickling me his small hands and soft fingers scratch at my skin and I have to fake laugh in order to please him. 

He is a big fan of monster trucks and and I love hearing the sound affects he makes in order to match the real life thing. 

I myself don’t have many memories of me as a child playing, but seeing my brother enjoy his childhood so much like every kid should is just so fulfilling. He is such an innocent thing and I wish he would never have to grow up so he can keep this innocence but I know that is not possible. But I plan on enjoying his childhood with him and making sure I always make time to play with him every day until forever. 

Word Count: 285

12 - Zack Rabold - Silent Observer

It lurks in corners and on walls. Slowly crawling it’s way around the room. I’m oblivious to my watcher, unknowing of its presence. I relax for a moment until something catches my eye. “Something’s here,” my mind tells me. A shadow flicks across my vision and escapes before I can make out any details. Maybe it was nothing. Perhaps a piece of my imagination. The hairs on my arm raise and I get an eerie feeling across me. As soon as I could convince my nerves to die down, it reappeared even faster than it had vanished. My whole body now tingling as if it’s sending an invisible message. A warning. “Run. Hide.” my body seems to be yelling. I give in and I stand up. My initial scan around the room doesn’t find anything. “Check Again.” I’m urged. I look again. Slower this time so as to not miss any detail. This time a small black circle no bigger than a half dollar creeps against the floorboard towards the couch. I approach it slowly until I can make out its shape. It’s fat and hairy. 8 spiny legs protruding from its body. I feel disgusted, and try to decide my next action. I see a pair of shoes across the room and run to grab them. When I returned my observer had retreated. I can’t go back to relaxing knowing it’s prowling nearby. I move furniture out of my path searching for any sign of it. Feeling hints of its existence across my hands and they pass through webs. I feel worried. Where could it be. It is sneaking up behind me. Or maybe on the ceiling. Waiting for the moment I look up and it can finally attack. My eyes lock onto a dark figure running across the room and my instinct kicks in. I stride across the room and it starts to change direction. It's made the decision to attack. For a moment I’m caught off guard and freeze. It advances faster toward me. My last moment surely approached with each scuttle from my attacker. My brain clicks and I swing the shoe high above my head. As I bring it down each beady eye seems to widen on my hairy aggressor. The shoe hits the ground with a boom and the adrenaline flushes out of the body. It’s over. I have nothing to fear anymore. I lift the shoe and scrape the corpse of my enemy into the trash. Closing it with satisfaction. The room seems brighter. No more dark shadows creeping in the corners. I can finally relax and close my eyes. For Now. 439

12- Destiny D: The End

 

Graduation is probably the one event that has the potential to both completely destroy me, and allow me the freedom I’ve always craved. 

For me graduation means the end of the only thing I’m familiar with. I’m not ready to move on and be completely independent. Even though I often hate the situation I’m in and tend to dislike those around me, knowing they are here is comforting in a way. 

 I’m scared of what will happen between me and those I really care about once I finally get to leave. I’ve wanted this for so long but I never took a moment to think about how it would play out when I don’t get to see them everyday. 

I rely heavily on my loved ones, more than I could ever admit to them personally. Without them I don’t know who I am or how to function. If I can't even be without them now, the thought of having to live without them permanently is terrifying. 

I’ve grown too attached to things I promised I would never let myself like. The end of our time together could mean the end of my stability. 

Even though I am dreading graduation, I’m also very excited to get to move on. Leaving here and starting over sounds beyond refreshing. I want to meet new people and learn to be a better person in an environment I’ve never seen before. Graduation means the end of an era that I’ve grown familiar with, and hello to one that will allow me to live with weakened restraints. 

The excitement of this day will never outweigh the things I’m dreading. I hope when the day does come I’ll be prepared enough to move on happily without too many regrets or fears.

Word Count: 294