For my last and final blog post, I decided to write about something that is very dear to me: Trader Joe’s part 2! Yeah, I know what you may be thinking: does this girl have any other personality trait besides liking a mid-grocery store? Maybe you caught me there, but it is not mid, it is excellent.

Anyways, I am going to do part two of my favorite foods and goods from Trader Joe’s. 

To begin, let’s talk about a new item: vegan poke. For my vegan people, this one is for you. I know what you are thinking, no way it can taste as good as real fish. Yes. It. Can. This poke is so good and it is not super noticeable that it isn’t real meat. The texture in this vegan alternative is on point! The poke is made out of seasoned beets, the same kind of sauce that a normal poke would be seasoned with. I rate this an 8/10. Personally, I still love to eat poke and I notice the difference a little bit. However, if you are a vegan I think you would rate this as a 10/10 if you used to like poke.

Next, let’s talk about something you can’t go wrong with: the fruit strips. These fruit strips come in multiple different flavors, are always perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth,  but are healthier than eating typical candy. Speaking of candy, if you have not tried the Scandinavian swimmers, you have not lived your life to the fullest. The sour Scandinavian swimmers are even better in my opinion though. To describe the Scandinavian swimmers I would say they are like Swedish fish, but significantly better. They aren’t as hard as Swedish fish and come in way more different flavors and varieties. Also, the Scandinavian swimmers are made with healthier ingredients such as fruit and vegetable juice. I rate the fruit strips a 9/10 as I could eat one every day honestly and not get tired of them. Also, I rate the Scandinavian swimmers a 9/10 as they are super good and addicting but i just don’t always feel the best after eating candy.

Okay, moving on to the frozen section let’s talk about pad thai. Not just any pad thai, but vegan pad thai! Again for my vegan people, this one is for you. I have been eating this pad thai consistently for 2 years and I am not tired of it. It is super good and has a hint of spice in it. If you don’t have a spice tolerance, I wouldn’t recommend this for you. However, if you can handle a little bit of spice (like me) I would recommend this.

Next, let’s talk about fries. Not just any fries but the seasoned waffle fries and handsome cut french fries.  First, let’s evaluate the seasoned waffle fries. They are super good and remind me to the Chick-fil-a waffle fries. However, they are kind of too spicy for my liking and are not always crispy if you put them in the oven. To make these waffle fries more crispy, I recommend putting them in the air fryer. So, I rate these a 7/10. Next to evaluate the handsome cut french fries: I don’t think you can go wrong with these. If you pop these in the airfryer they come out super crispy and just right. I believe these are better than the average frozen fries that you get in the grocery aisle. The only thing is they are obviously kind of bland so i would recommend pairing them up with your favorite sauce for dipping. I rate these an 8/10.

To continue evaluating the frozen food aisle, let’s discuss the Japanese style fried rice. Holy guacamole this fried rice is sooooo good. Like. So. Good. If you add an egg in it, it tastes almost like the hibachi fried rice you get at a restaurant. It is also vegetarian and comes with veggies such as scallions, peas, and edamame. I rank this a 9.5/10.

I apologize-this blog post is chaotic. However, stick with me! Now to discuss my favorite dips at Trader joes. I recently discovered this one, without social media influence, and it is the herbed tahini sauce. I know what you may be thinking, wow that is so basic. But, no! This sauce is not your average tahini sauce, it has an extra kick of spice mixed with visible spices and seasoning. I rate this a 9/10. To continue the discussion about my favorite dips: the Mediterranean hummus is unreal. It is not your average hummus as the toppings are immaculate and taste so much fresher than the average hummus. Hummus +carrots= heaven in a snack. 

I hope you enjoyed my last and final blog post:) Good luck to all the seniors reading this on their future endeavors, so proud of us:)

Let’s talk about the best store in the world… well specifically in the United States because it only exists in America, Trader joes. I love trader joes. Entering trader joes, immediately puts a bright smile on my face. I am so beyond thankful that there is a Trader joes near my college campus next year…a little sad I have to drive 10 minutes to get there and I won’t have a car but I will make it work. Okay, so let’s talk about what I recommend getting from trader joes as a pescetarian!

First thing when you walk in, you will see the produce and bakery section. While I can get produce anywhere and am not too hyped up about trader joe’s produce, it still always tastes fresh! However, the bakery section is where it is at.

First review: The sheet cakes. I rate these an 8/10. Personally, I am more of a chocolate kind of girl but the vanilla is still super good! Both cakes are not bland at all for just being base chocolate and vanilla. The reason I rate it an 8/10 is because there is so much frosting on the cakes. Personally, I like frosting but not a crazy amount. If you are a big frosting lover, I highly recommend buying these cakes.

Second Review: Trader Joe’s Pumpkin bagels! (8/10) Personally, I used to love these but had them so much that I stopped liking them as much! This is a seasonal product, but I highly recommend trying it! They also have a gluten-free option if that applies to you! The pumpkin is slight and not too overpowering which I personally love.

Third review: Trader joe’s pizza dough ( garlic flavor) I rate these a 9/10. These doughs are less than $2 and are vegan! I love making different kinds of flatbreads with them or even garlic sticks! For galentines day, my friends and i made heart-shaped pizzas! Cute and delicious!

Fourth review: Lemon Basil Pasta salad. I rate this an (8/10). Even though this salad is prepackaged, it always tastes so fresh and is amazing! I love that they used bowtie pasta as well because that is my favorite kind of pasta! I do feel that it is overpriced as I believe it is $5 because of the portion size and is kind of easy to make, but other than that I do love it very much.

Fifth review: Sliced Marble Rye bread. I rate this an 9/10. This is a holy grail when I make my avocado toast. The bread is very good for you and has a low glycemic index which essentially means that it wont give you the kind of energy where you will crash as it promotes stable energy. This bread is extremely healthy but also almost has a slight taste of pickles/dill, it is hard to explain. You should really try it though! 

Sixth review: Vegan caesar dressing (9/10). I love this dressing so much. People complain that salads taste bad, but that is because you aren’t adding enough toppings and the right dressing. A good dressing truly has the power to transform how good a salad tastes. I love how this dressing is vegan, but also still tastes so amazing with fresh ingredients. 

Seventh review: The garden goddess dressing (9/10). The ingredients are very minimal and clean, so I never feel sick after using this on my salad. I also love the little bit of cilantro that is added it really makes the flavor more bold. 

Now we will talk about the frozen section, get ready.

For baked goods:

 I highly recommend the lemon squares. While you do have to be a lemon lover to like these as they are super overpowering, they are still good. I would rate these a 7/10. 

The chocolate lava cake, I rate this a 6.5/10. I do love chocolate, but this was way too much. This almost made my mouth feel dry by how much chocolate was in it. If you are a huge chocolate fan, I recommend this. 

The French macaroons. I rate these a 10/10. These are some of the best macaroons I have tried in my life and are much more affordable than other macaroons. They have all kinds of flavors ranging from salted caramel to hazelnut to fig. I love all of the flavors and I feel like there is a flavor for everyone!

For frozen Italian food: Personally, I believe that out of all the different cuisines trader joe’s offers, the Italian is the best. Not because Italian is my favorite food, but because of the variety it offers. You have to try the gnocchi al gorgonzola. This is easily a 10/10. It is like a mixture of mac and cheese but with gnocchi. This is genuinely such a comfort food and I probably have it at least once a week. Also, the regular gnocchi alla sorrentina is amazing! Both of these taste like you got them from a restaurant and are some of my favorite products from trader joes. The cacio and peppe pasta is super yummy as well. It is very spicy in my opinion because of how much pepper is used, but if you love black pepper this is definitely something worth trying. 

I will definitely make a part two of my favorite trader joes items, so stay tuned! Please feel free to let me know what you recommend I should try next!

Personally, I believe that traveling has the power to enrich one’s life in ways that can not be expressed just through words. Traveling around the world has allowed me to experience and understand different cultural norms which is something that money could never buy…except paying for the trip. Laugh out loud. Anyways, I am very appreciative of the opportunity to travel outside of the country and visit  different areas multiple times throughout my lifetime. By traveling abroad, I become more aware of others’ cultural norms and practices. Through this, I have become a more understanding, creative, and knowledgeable individual. Having traveled to parts of Europe and Morocco, I have come to appreciate the beauty of diversity and the unique perspectives that traveling can provide to one’s life.

One of the main reasons why I am appreciative of the beauty traveling brings is because it allows me to broaden my horizons and expand my understanding of different cultures and the world around us. By immersing myself in different cultures, I gain a better understanding of the ways that people live their day to day lives- how they work, live, and interact with one another. Because of this, I have come to understand why some acts may be considered to be rude even if they were not meant to be expressed in that manner. While I was born in the United States, my family is Moroccan and most of my family still lives in Morocco.  When my family visits my extensive family in Morocco, I have come to realize that even though I have been raised with the culture, there are still some things I fail to practice. For example, I am a picky eater, I will admit. Also, I am a pescetarian which means I only eat fish out of all meat….which makes things more difficult sometimes. If we are at a family gathering or just someone’s house, and let’s say that I don’t sample and eat the food that is presented , this is interpreted as very rude and offensive. Also, tea is a HUGE part of Morrocan culture, and if someone does not offer you tea when you are at their place that is considered a huge red flag as that is rude and impolite. Similarly,  if you don’t drink the tea that one offers you, that is considered  extremely rude. While this may shock many Americans, it is just a cultural norm that is practiced. Similarly, there are things that Americans practice that Moroccans/non-Americans may find odd. 

Through traveling the world, I come to appreciate and find an interest in learning about different cultures. For example, when I visit Morocco, I learn about the importance of hospitality, and the family holds to Moroccans. In Spain, I learned to appreciate the warm-hearted people, their desire to look presentable everywhere they go, and their love for staying out late. In France, I learned to appreciate the beautiful architecture, delicious french pastries, and find the good/nice part of people even if they can be rude. I can’t say all Parisians are rude…but some are.  By traveling to a foreign country, I have been fortunate enough to develop qualities needed to succeed in the real world such as opening my mindset and navigating through a foreign city verbally and physically. Each city/country one visits presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for personal growth. By stepping outside of my comfort zone and embracing new experiences, I have been able to cultivate a sense of resilience that I can carry with me to all areas of my life no matter where I am. 

While I understand that traveling can be very costly, depending on where you visit, I still believe that the benefits of travel outweigh the costs. While money can buy temporary happiness and a sense of dopamine, it cannot match the sense of fulfillment and enrichment that comes with exploring a foreign area and its beautiful parts. The memories and experiences gained from traveling are impossible to put into a price tag, as they have the power to shape one’s perspective on life in multiple ways.

In college, I look forward to studying abroad. I plan to study abroad for one to two semesters in Europe specifically Spain or Italy. Right now, I plan to follow a Business-law path and am majoring in International Business (depending on what the school offers). I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to travel abroad and learn more about different cultures, and I plan to continue my journey by studying abroad in college. 

In conclusion, my love for travel stems from the enriching experiences, opportunities for growth, and unique perspectives it offers. After reading this, I hope you continue to travel abroad sometime within your lifetime.

Link to Poem:https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46176/on-distinction

When I first read On distinction, by A.F. Moritz, I was quite perplexed and had to reread it because of the consistent use of unstructured sentences and the complex syntax that was used. Prior to reading the poem and just by analyzing the title, I assumed this poem was about the journey one has to make themselves feel different and stand out in society. After reading the poem and analyzing it deeply, I understand that the title, On distinction  is ironic as Moritz believes citizens of society unconsciously wish to appear the same as others but hopes to spread the message that everyone should embrace their own individualities. Because On Distinction is written in free verse, Moritz follows more of a laid back writing style which can make the audience feel confused.  The poem began with “we won’t pretend we’re not hungry for distinction 

But what can ever distinguish us enough?” (Moritz lines 1 and 2) Personally, these first two lines really confused me. What members of the audience is Moritz specifically attracting, and who is he referring to when stating “we”. Also, I felt that the phrase “hunger for distinction” was inappropriate to use in this sentence,  as it doesn’t match the overall vibe of the poem. Personally, I felt the phrase “craving distinction” fit better as this poem isn’t about food, it is about constant approval from others. Additionally, the first sentence was not complete, however it followed onto the next stanza. The lack of sentence structure can make it difficult for the audience to fully understand Moritz’s message. Finally, I found difficulty in understanding why Moritz chose to use distinction and distinguish in the same sentence. The existing similarities and connection between these two words truly made me feel confused, and after analyzing I still fail to understand the purpose. 

Following the next two lines,  the audience will likely have a clearer understanding of who specifically “we” is, and the purpose of “distinction”. There is a stark shift between the first two lines, and the next two lines. The tone went from solemn to completely hopeless and almost angry. The word choice Moritz uses begins to represent the hidden meaning of the poem… “the race will die, later the cockroach, earth itself”(Moritz line 4). The tone of this line is very solemn, hopeless, and angry at society but not the audience. 

In the second stanza, I was deeply confused by the word choice Moritz used and some of the sentence structure. Moritz continues the unfinished sentence from the first stanza to the in the first line of the second stanza stating “ and last this beer bottle: silicon fused by man…almost indestructible ,like a soul”(Moritz line 5 and 6). Honestly, I understand that silicon can be indestructible, but I was confused at first on Moritz ‘purpose when discussing that it is to be fused by a man. However, I believe Moritz included silicon to be specifically fused by a man to compare how it is indestructible like a soul and it lives on forever even after one is deceased. The contrast between the first stanza and the second stanza is significant because the tone shifts from being hopeless and angry with society in the first stanza to believing that everything is permanent in the second stanza. 

In the third stanza,  the audience begins to finally understand the meaning of the plot and the theme of the poem ,however it is not fully developed yet.  It is not a coincidence that the title is On Distinction, as Mertz constantly attempts to show the concept of being unique or set apart from others in society. However in the third stanza, Mertz demonstrates quite the opposite of the theme as he uses phrases such as “we keep a hungry eye on old schoolmates, and everyone born in the year of our own birth” (lines 9 and 10). Mertz is trying to lead up to the overall theme, but doesn’t fully lead there quite yet. Mertz highlights how many people in society are more occupied with what other people are doing than their own personal lives and wellbeing. At this point in the poem, the reader may assume that the specific audience is anyone in modern day society. 

It is not until the last stanza, that Mertz’s overall plot and theme of the poem is discovered. Finally, Mertz uncovers the consequences of not focusing on the positive aspects of life and individuality . Mertz argues that if one stops worrying about what others are doing and how they perceive you, you will eventually find peace within yourself. By using phrases such as “to live just a little longer than they do: that would be triumph”, Mertz highlights how focused one is on others in society, rather than themselves. To achieve distinction, is to find peace with knowing that you can’t control what others do or what they think of you.

Let’s talk about dreams, aspirations, and all that cliche stuff. During one’s lifetime, they develop dreams. These dreams can change, as life often does, but one frequently creates habits in hopes to pursue their goals. A lot of times, people develop goals or resolutions but fail to follow through with them. I feel like this has happened to most of us, including myself.

When someone decides to change their whole life and every single thing about their routine they often think about it at 2 am at night…oh wait maybe that’s just me. Haha, in all seriousness we discover this sudden impulse and wave of motivation to finally change our lives. Oftentimes, one will start their improved updated routine at the beginning of the week, beginning of the month, and especially after new years. It is often that during a conversation before the new year, some will ask you what your new year’s resolutions are. However, it is important to understand that saying your goals will not accomplish them…you have to put in the work. I’m sure you have heard this statement before, but seriously you can’t just wait and hope for the best. Oftentimes, people get disappointed and discouraged when creating goals because they do not see progress right away. Growing up in a generation that values immediate gratification is very dangerous to one’s ego and how they view discipline. For example, we get immediate gratification or a wave of dopamine just by going on our phones, like a drug. If you look at the world around us, we are addicted to technology. My point is, many of us have been trained to believe that we should get immediate gratification with any thing we do, so we often feel disappointed when we don’t see immediate improvement. For example, if your goal is to lose 5 pounds by the end of the month and you begin to follow habits of working out and eating healthier, but still only lost 1 pound, you may feel discouraged and start to give up.  I feel like one feeling discouraged when not seeing improvement in their goals is common throughout generations, but it is especially prevalent in our generation.

 Anyways, let’s talk about setting and following goals. I feel like many people believe that when they are planning to change their whole life and every single thing about their routine they believe it is an all or nothing plan. Because of this, oftentimes one’s goals and habits fail to follow through. One of my favorite wellness books,  Atomic Habits, detailed this as James Clear believes that in order for one to improve, they have to get 1% better. After improving 1% for a year, overall, one improves by 37.78%, which is crazy to think about. It is important to understand that making changes to your routine does not mean make changes to everything. Often times, it is more beneficial to focus on achieving one or two goals. Also, one should not want to go from starting at 0 for a goal to going 100. For example, one of my goals is to drink at least 80 oz of water a day. However, I have a bad habit of drinking not enough water for my body. When I created this goal, I went from setting a goal to drinking at least 25 oz a day. By starting off small, I allowed myself to trust in the process and discover that it takes baby steps to reach the goal. After months of working on this goal, I now drink 70-90 oz of water a day daily. My water story is a prime example of setting small goals lead to big accomplishments. I understand it can be frustrating scrolling on social media or watching TV and seeing influencers who “have it all”. These influencers  don’t work a 9-5 , they live in warm places, they are happy, they workout, and they are living their life to fullest….at least on camera. These influencers are real people, however they show the public what they want their audience to think of them which may not be a true representation of their lives. Because let’s face it- we have productive days, and we have days where we are like “what did I even do today?” days and that is more than okay. However, I have learned that motivation comes and goes but discipline is key. On days where you feel you need a break, take a break! However, don’t stop because you came too far to go back down. 

Honestly, Senior year has been memorable but not in the best way so far. While there have been multiple ups and downs, these experiences have taught me a lot about myself. 

To begin, let’s discuss college applications. If you are an upcoming junior, please listen up: COMPLETE YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY OVER THE SUMMER!!!! I genuinely can not stress this enough. Personally, I brainstormed multiple ideas throughout the summer but I had trouble seeing myself pursuing them. I had one essay topic that I truly adored, but it was difficult to make my story be shown under a true light. I ended up writing about something different, but I am satisfied with how my essay turned out. If you were like me: not knowing where to start, feeling overwhelmed by all that needed to be done, take it step by step. My sister, who already completed this process, would constantly tell me this, but I never felt like it helped until she helped me make a plan. First, you want to make a list of ideas you believe that could be potential. If you have trouble figuring out what exactly you want to write about, one needs to understand that you don’t have to write about a “significant” event like a family member passing or your parents getting divorced, you can talk about something that may be considered “small” in a big light. One of my friends from California wrote about her experiences being on the surf team vs a competitive dance team. While this may seem “broad”, she explained how the ocean moves in waves and relates those waves into her life. She talked about the development of each stage of a wave and related it to different experiences within her life that have made her who she is today. She described aspects of the water and related it to things she experienced (example: feeling the light directly on you as you are underwater, the convergence of two worlds underwater vs land, and how a certain part of her no one sees releases when she is underwater). My point is, you can make an experience that may seem to be a part of your everyday life, truly represent who you are internally.  My second step within this process is don’t feel like you have to write an essay all at once: BREAK IT DOWN! For one week of your summer break, focus on your introduction and the meaning you want to come across. Next week, do the same thing but with your next paragraph. While you don’t need to have a ‘final copy’ of your paper done by the beginning of the school year, having a completed rough draft will serve you in the long run. However, make sure that this rough draft is not “sloppy” it needs to have a “purpose”. My last advice is don’t feel scared to have someone read over your paper and give you feedback! I was in the boat where my essay, like others, was super personal; however I had people I trusted and knew of some of my experiences read about it. Lastly, you will need this, good luck!!!

Throughout these last few months, I have learned a lot about myself. I truly began to recognize when my highs and my lows are approaching. First, going back to college essays, when I was writing my college essay I recognized how I don’t take enough credit for how far I have come. I have undergone many intense experiences in my life, and writing my college essay was almost therapeutic to my mind: “Hey you are doing more than enough.” I recognize that Senior year first semester is one of the most stressful years of your high school career, at least in my opinion. Personally, like many others, I had to balance daily extracurriculars, a job, keeping up with high intensity classes, SAT prep, college applications while still finding time for myself. Truthfully, I never really found time for myself and I didn’t see my friends outside of school for months. While it sucked, in the back of my mind I would tell myself that second semester is approaching and it will apparently be  “a crazy lit movie”. I am really ready for that, honestly this semester has been eventful.  After the first semester, I advanced my level of organization and time management skills. This skill is something that will be especially useful in college and the rest of my life. 

Finally, I will say one last good luck to upcoming seniors, you got this.

TW: Just a heads up, this post may be a little controversial. Read at your own risk.

Anyways, I am going to be sharing my opinions on fashion trends over the last few years.

First, let’s begin with the VSCO girl phase. This era was very memorable not just because of the clothing trends, but because of the vibes it represented. The vsco girl trend/phase grew in popularity during our 8th-grade year, and it is a classic. To spot a vsco girl on the street, you will probably see her in a puka shell necklace, always carrying her burt’s bees lip balm, wearing an oversized t shirt, carrying a hydro flask with stickers on it, carrying scrunchies that are way too obnoxious for her head, and adores brandy melville. Not only does she have such a unique style, but she has a unique language. You may hear her say “sksksk” ,“and i oop-”, “dropped my hydro flask”. 

For me, this era reminds me of the transition between middle school and high school. This makes me feel nostalgic of the good times, and how I didn’t appreciate it enough. While I did follow this trend in some elements: wearing a puka shell necklace, wearing massive scrunchies, owning birkenstocks, and saying “and I oop-” more than a reasonable amount, I still wasn’t a true vsco girl. As much as I want to be a teen growing up in california, i live in illinois! Also, the trends I felt were too obnoxious and not unique. For example, every tween girl was wearing the same thing…but did they even like it? I still notice trends that don’t embrace personal creativity, but  not to the same extent. I personally give this a 7/10.

Next, let’s talk about the Y2k quarantine phase. This era represented the many aspects of quarantine: the baking, TIK TOK, the whipped coffee, the family walks, and facetime being the only means of communication. The y2k look is based off of the early 2000’s. Some popular fashion icons during this time were Miley Cyrus, the cheetah girls, Avril Lavigne, and pretty much every Disney movie about a teen girl filmed around this time. Some popular looks are: baggy jeans, cheetah print, crop tops, bright colors, “vintage clothing, pink baby tees. Because everyone was in quarantine, many of these outfits were shown online-specifically through tik tok. This app grew extremely popular again during quarantine, and has been popular since. From past experience, I can assure you that it is super addictive and easy to get in rabbit holes…so watch out.

Personally, I never really fit into the y2k vibe. I adore many things about the 2000’s, particularly the culture. I really enjoy learning about life before the progression of technology/phones. People seemed to have a lot more meaningful conversations and a more purposeful life, which is something I envy. Going back to the trends, I wore some cheetah print but I found trouble liking the other clothing styles. I am not a huge fan of low waisted pants and bright colors. I rate this a 6.5/10.

For our last analysis, let’s talk about the “clean girl aesthetic”. Personally my favorite!! This era has grown more popular within the last two years. This aesthetic grew extremely popular from many social media platforms, but specifically pinterest. To spot a “clean girl”, she may be wearing neutral colors, have slick back hair, minimal makeup, looks effortlessly classy, enjoys vanilla lattes, appears to have her life together, eats cleanly, and gives off independent boss women. Some famous people who give off this look are hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Selena Gomez.

Personally, I adore this aesthetic. I feel that the aesthetic represents individuality, growth, and it is forever timeless. Many of the clothes that are a part of this trend, have existed for generations, but are becoming on the rise again. For example, Ralph Lauren sweaters were popular during our parents’ years, but they are becoming even more admired again. Everytime I have a productive day and come home to a clean room that smells like vanilla, I feel content and happy with myself. I love playing the part of a “clean girl”. I rate this a 9/10, as sometimes it can be difficult to live up to the aesthetic.

Growing up in modern-day society, there are a lot of things we hear on the news…often not good things. Something that has received a lot of televised attention frequently, but not received enough governmental action is the Gun Violence Epidemic. I and my fellow classmates have been taught to believe that doing lockdown drills are “normal”, saying“I love you” to a loved one every time you say goodbye because who knows when you may see them again. It is disappointing that an issue this extensive has resulted in a political dispute. It is even more disappointing that this issue has turned into the “blaming game” towards one struggling with a mental health disorder. While many Americans assume that there is correspondence between the rate of gun violence and mental health, persons diagnosed with a mental health disorder contribute little to the rate of gun violence.

Photo above: Former NRA president believed he was speaking in a graduation ceremony, but actually spoke to the victims of gun violence who were supposed to graduate that year (2021).

 One may ponder–“But how is it possible for a sane person to kill another human?” Supporting this belief, a 2018 poll shows that this is a common thought. Analysts Ayer and Ramychand assess matters more extensively when they write, “more than 50 percent of Americans believed that people with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorders posed a danger to others, and 30 percent believed that people with depression posed such a threat.” Despite common beliefs, further studies indicate that this is inaccurate as “only 4% of person(s) diagnosed with mental illnesses are responsible for the abhorrent rate of gun violence” (Ramychand and Ayer, 2019). So, one can assume that even if all mental illnesses were cured, the rate of gun violence would decrease by 4% overall. Due to this analysis, mental illness has been  consistently misinterpreted as the sole reason behind gun violence.  Much of the public fears persons diagnosed with mental illnesses when correlated with gun violence, despite data proving that those diagnosed with a mental illness are 10 times at an increased risk of being victims of gun violence than perpetrators. Furthermore, another poll published by Teplin studied individuals with complex mental illnesses who were in the process of receiving treatment. 25% of persons diagnosed with a mental health disorder communicated that they were a victim of a violent crime while, “comparatively, 3 percent of the general population had been the victim of a violent crime” (Teplin et al., 2005). Regardless of recurrent societal analysis, individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses are at a higher risk of being victims than perpetrators of violent crimes.  

 Of course, I recognize the questioning behind “how could a ‘normal person’ commit such an erroneous offense and not one who is mentally ill”; but, notable data signifies that those diagnosed with mental health disorders, contrary to popular belief, are at an increased risk of being victims of violence than committers of the offense. Continuously, many analysts believe that this popular misinterpretation is developed due to a consequence of abrupt political polarization within the media.  Specifically, former President Donald Trump’s distorted statement after a Presidential debate helped increase the rate of stigma with the sentiment that “…the gun-free zones and, you know, when you say that, that’s target practice for the sickos and for the mentally ill” (Koren, 2021). While this statement is false, it is also misleading and unprofessional. As many are aware, most Americans struggle with battling their mental illness, approximately 25% of the population. However, it is unjustifiable to conclude that a person diagnosed with a mental illness is harmful to themselves or others, given the excessive rate of victims diagnosed with a mental illness involved in a malicious crime, within the population. When a particular influential person makes a claim, they do not only articulate their personal beliefs, but they represent and influence their followers’ beliefs, which in this scenario refers to the Republican party. Therefore, it is no shock that, “82 percent of Republicans… said mass shootings reflect problems in identifying and treating people with mental health problems” (Koren, 2021). Despite what one’s political beliefs are, it is detrimental to marginalize a community despite the credible amount of evidence provided presuming that individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of crime. Overall, I believe it is very important for one to educate themselves and others about the potential harm blaming a person(s) diagnosed with a mental illness for the rate of gun violence within our society.

Annotations:

Hlavinka, Elizabeth. “Gun Deaths in Young People: A Poverty Thing?” Medical News, 

“Mental Illness and Gun Violence.” The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, 4 Sept. 2020, efsgv.org/learn/learn-more-about-gun-violence/mental-illness-and-gun-violence/.  

 Ramchand, Rajeev, and Lynsay Ayer. “Is Mental Illness a Risk Factor for Gun Violence?” RAND Corporation, 15 Apr. 2021,

People have different ways of coping with situations they encounter in the world around them, as they may use proper or counterproductive techniques and habits. While many are guilty of utilizing positive and negative coping strategies throughout their lives, most will agree that few methods truly have served one. An outlet I know will be there any time of the day, despite what mood I’m feeling, no matter the situation is music. 

Music has been a part of every stage throughout my whole life, and I can’t imagine my passion for music ever going away. As a child, music taught me rhymes and anecdotes, my ABCs, but most importantly, taught me the power of true happiness. I bonded with my classmates over discussing which songs were our favorite, I played just dance with my friends to music (those songs from the 2012 edition are still engrained in my head), and the power of music also represented a large part of my future aspirations-dance. For In my personal opinion, dance can not be truly performed without music playing. Music allows the dancer to feel the room around them, to speak to the audience through movement, and allows them to express how they feel for themselves.  The beauty behind dance is I never needed to verbally articulate my thoughts, I can express them through movement. Personally, my favorite type of dance is lyrical and contemporary. Something about the mix of ballet and jazz speaks to my emotions more than any other style. While these styles are often performed to depressing songs, I feel relieved after the performance. I feel happy. The beat and rhythm of many contemporary songs speak directly to my heart, and I feel safe.

Speaking of happiness, a song that will be forever engrained in my head until I die is Happy  By Pharrell Williams. Believe it or not, I performed a dance to this song in elementary and high school.  When I was in 4th grade, I performed a self choreographed routine to Happy as a soloist.  I was a gymnast and a dancer at the time, so I incorporated a lot of back handsprings and round-offs. Similar to the height one receives after doing a back handspring, I felt like my emotions were going up and down.  While I was so nervous prior to being announced on stage,   I still found a way to smile and eventually felt cheerful. After the show ended, I remember vividly going out to busters, an ice cream shop, and getting a dirt sundae and feeling content over my performance. My sister and my mother, also shared how proud they are of me which made me feel appreciated.

The last time I performed a dance to Happy was a few months ago. As some may know, I am a part of the NNHS Varsity dance team, and we hosted a kid’s camp this year. This camp involved children having the opportunity to learn dance skills and techniques, learn a short routine, and perform the dance at the football game. Believe it or not, over 50 children signed up! While I served as a role model by mimicking some valuable qualities such as patience, kindness, and happiness, I truly felt that I wanted to cry deep down. I grew jealous of these children because of how carefree their reality is. I see my little old self in them: when school was a place to make friends and learn in a positive environment and not feel the pressure if you fail, when you would write book reports about your favorite books instead of college essay applications, when life was simple. While Happy wasn’t intended for the audience to have such bittersweet thoughts, I still did. Happy reminds me of many experiences and feelings but also taught me the importance of appreciating the current moment, as you never know when you will relive that.

Some songs that hold a special place in my heart from Elementary school:

–Happy 

-Glamorous

-Last Friday Night

-Sofia the First intro song

Some songs that hold a special place in my heart in Middle school:

-Stitches

-Shape of  you ( I know I had bad music taste)

-Roses

-Closer

-Rather Be

Some songs that hold a special place in my heart in High school:

-the Pursuit of Happiness

-All of Lana del ray

-All of Taylor Swift

-I wish I never met you

-Runaway

-Happier than ever

-Where’d all the time go

+ many other songs

This is a thank you letter to music. Thank you for being there for all the highs and lows.

For every stage in one’s life, they will likely develop a fixation for an activity in order to cope with their current life situation.  One year they may adore making slime, baking, or making rainbow loom bracelets. Personally, I have developed a fixation for all these activities and they have brought purpose to my childhood. These activities, in one way or another, have helped me make friends, cope with any problems I was experiencing, taught me the importance of patience, and helped me find joy in small things. However, there is one activity that I haven’t grown apart from and I don’t think I ever will…watching movies. During each period of my life, there is a movie I have become utterly obsessed with. 

Growing up, my favorite movie was Matilda. While this may have just been a movie to some, it has been my comfort movie since I was 5. Even to this day, I still watch it at least once every 6 months. Matilda is about an intelligent girl who values learning but is raised in a family that disapproves of the idea of being fully educated. Matilda wasn’t enrolled in school until she was 5 ½, a considerably later time than most children.  Despite her circumstances, Matilda caught up extremely fast, some may say a little too fast as she was far more intellectually advanced than the rest of her classmates. Miss Honey, Matilda’s teacher, noticed this and informed her parents of how remarkably intelligent Matilda is. Miss Honey suggested Matilda skips a grade, because of her intellectual advancement, but Matilda’s parents rejected this idea. Not only did Matilda’s parents reject this idea, but they also mocked Ms. Honey for being an educated woman. As the movie continues, Matilda’s love for learning continued to grow and her parent’s hatred for the idea of receiving an education also strengthened. By the end of the movie, the relationship between Matilda and her parents isn’t genuine, but she grows a deep connection with Miss Honey.  By the end of the movie,  Miss honey adopts Matilda. For over 10 years, my feelings about this movie haven’t changed. While I don’t relate to Matilda’s experiences, as my family takes deep pride in getting an education, there are times when I have felt alone. Throughout my childhood, this movie has served as a reminder that good things take time, and life will get better.  Ms. Honey served as a friend, a teacher, and a parent by being emotionally and physically there for Matilda.  Without Ms. Honey, Matilda would’ve likely continued to feel misunderstood by her family. One of my favorite quotes that remind me of this movie is “And like the moon, we must go through phases of emptiness to feel full again”.

Another movie that I have continued to feel greatly inspired by is Legally Blonde.  When I was growing up, I fell in love with this movie because I wanted to be Elle Woods when I grew up. Yeah, it would be amazing to look like her, but I mean I wanted to be as ambitious, dedicated, and intelligent as her. She transformed her life from being known as dumb blonde sorority girl to being known as the female valedictorian at Harvard law. While her first motive for attending Harvard Law school was to win back the boy she was in love with, she actually won something way more useful than a man could ever bring her.  She became a woman fuming with dignity and found her true self.   While the journey to Law School was quite difficult and out of her nature, she remained persistent and pushed through. Not only that, but she graduated as valedictorian and married a way more respectable kind young man. To this day,  her story still inspires me greatly. Anytime I feel hopeless or doubt my capabilities, I think about Elle woods and I know I can get through whatever I am going through.   While she may be a fictional character, she has served as a role model into getting myself to persevere through.

I have probably watched over 500 movies throughout my life that have brought me all kinds of feelings and thoughts. There are some movies that I feel happy, sad, and frightened from, however, these two movies have always made me feel protected. While the plots are very different from each other, they both represent hopeful meanings. These movies continue to remind me that at the end of a storm, there is always a rainbow.