tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17651650520755534682024-03-27T11:03:42.574-04:00South Brunswick Teen Zonea news and entertainment source for South Brunswick teens, by teensSBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.comBlogger1195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-70076230481652656802024-03-27T11:03:00.000-04:002024-03-27T11:03:00.111-04:00Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai; review by Hashini Thirukonda<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i9MFMqxPeYiR-6gMq57BM94hyCHbFnQRjpvubYZz4XWDUp2BAJKJuM6T8lSBNgQzGhZv1AgG9WzDLRbPC5NnnbFNbSKaHxLwcjMiKjqsdjbaIBVJYujqPz8q3aqaj68WTJnZ0zPzZb4NIqqROyKl9U_B7SYTk9IKEZB5ZCTZriDoaEQ8TQBwmP3Ob2s0/s1080/book%20review%20SOTBB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i9MFMqxPeYiR-6gMq57BM94hyCHbFnQRjpvubYZz4XWDUp2BAJKJuM6T8lSBNgQzGhZv1AgG9WzDLRbPC5NnnbFNbSKaHxLwcjMiKjqsdjbaIBVJYujqPz8q3aqaj68WTJnZ0zPzZb4NIqqROyKl9U_B7SYTk9IKEZB5ZCTZriDoaEQ8TQBwmP3Ob2s0/w633-h633/book%20review%20SOTBB.png" width="633" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-86165259387694175982024-03-25T17:53:00.002-04:002024-03-25T17:53:22.186-04:00Five Feet Apart” book review by Kavya Chunduru<p style="text-align: center;">Five Feet Apart” book review by Kavya Chunduru</p><p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The book, “Five Feet Apart” follows Stella, a girl with Cystic Fibrosis, a condition when your lungs are extremely weak and your body can’t handle bacteria. 2 people with CF are extremely dangerous to one another because their bodies might spread bacteria to each other and worsen the situation. Stella meets Will in the hospital and they both instantly become close. The only problem is that both of them have CF. Stella is due to a lung transplant in a couple months and her being near Will would make her lungs deteriorate. The story is about how the two work around their conditions and start to fall in love. I think that this book was a really good book. The author knew how to add anguish into the story by not letting the main characters be able to be around each other like normal people. Stella is extremely dedicated to making her life better. She takes all her treatments like planned and makes sure to wear masks everywhere she goes. Will doesn’t care about his CF and lives his life like he doesn;t have a disease. Because of this, he is a huge risk to Stella. In the end, Stella falls into a lake and Will has to perform CPR on her. To do this, he had to be near her and breach the 5 feet apart rule. They call an ambulance and he realizes that he’s going to be the reason Stella dies if he stays with her. They find out that Stella was fine from Will being near her but he can’t do it again. Will realizes that he doesn’t want to put Stella’s life in danger and leaves the hospital to travel the world. The ending of this story is really tragic because it's not a happy ending. The author ends the book with Will telling Stella that he has to leave but the readers understand that this would be the last time she’s seeing him because he was going to die within a couple months. I would rate this book 4.5/5 stars because it was a really good book, but some of the details the author wrote about CF aren’t factual.</span></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-69662018657045358212024-03-25T17:48:00.004-04:002024-03-25T17:48:20.549-04:00Heartbreaker book review, by Kavya Chunduru<p style="text-align: center;"> Heartbreaker book review, </p><p style="text-align: center;">by Kavya Chunduru</p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The book, “Heartbreaker” by Alice Oseman is about a highschooler, Charlie, and his best friend, Nick. Charlie is openly gay and Nick is not. Charlie has a crush on Nick, but he doesn’t think that Nick would return the feeling. One day, Charlie tells Nick about his feelings and Nick says that he likes him back. The main conflict in this book is Nick’s struggle with accepting himself as gay and trying to tell his friends.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a715fc6f-7fff-1c98-0e7d-385ec5510639"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I think that this book was a pretty good book. I think it's good because it brings the deep struggles that people in the LGBTQ community face. Nick talks about his homophobic friends and his struggle to tell them that he’s gay too. This book also talks about social pressure and how Nick’s friends think Charlie is weird. I think that these issues aren’t talked about enough and they deserve to be noticed. When reading this book, I had a lot of mixed feelings. I think that the author was trying to get the struggles of the LGBTQ community across but she skimmed over the topic. A more in depth reference of what Nick was feeling would have been good. She also could have included how Charlie was already bullied because he was gay. Other than that, she did a great job of showing Nick’s internal struggles when dating Charlie because he refused to tell the school that they were dating because he was embarrassed to be gay. I think that Charlie was a supportive boyfriend by giving Nick time to tell the school that they were together. At the end of the book, Nick comes out and tells the school. Overall, I would rate this book a ⅘ stars.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-18333999988071091072024-03-13T10:41:00.003-04:002024-03-13T10:41:44.322-04:00Review of Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner, review by Hashini Thirukonda<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxHenQefkbCtRsIvLBzpzzcnVrNrV2dWMhxWSaWPDa_uMO2umx0Olen0ZonqpNw9mO8mHPMbl8v3kQxin3-Kb-UhpaBTSRAc91Dzf5hGQK-3kRtVg0fV54DhyphenhyphenpglwwOwatL7eoC5vjNXtCpl_1blTc4reGT9X_lMp1YGHJ2BM6oJbp8ngHNa1xDx4yT9_/s632/book%20review%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="475" height="713" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxHenQefkbCtRsIvLBzpzzcnVrNrV2dWMhxWSaWPDa_uMO2umx0Olen0ZonqpNw9mO8mHPMbl8v3kQxin3-Kb-UhpaBTSRAc91Dzf5hGQK-3kRtVg0fV54DhyphenhyphenpglwwOwatL7eoC5vjNXtCpl_1blTc4reGT9X_lMp1YGHJ2BM6oJbp8ngHNa1xDx4yT9_/w537-h713/book%20review%201.png" width="537" /></a></div><br /><p></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-81331063164250100942024-02-29T22:51:00.000-05:002024-02-29T22:51:00.461-05:00Tips on studying by Kavya Chunduru<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When a big test comes up, it's hard to stay on task for hours on end without getting distracted. Here are some productivity tips to help you on your next test. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-832734b2-7fff-1aaa-ab08-c9b06e5c22f6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">First, plan your study schedule ahead of time. You don’t want to cram study it all in one day cause that could lead to you being so overwhelmed. Plan your days before you start studying and divide the topics up so you can focus on a topic or two a day. This could help a lot because it's hard for your brain to process so many things in a short amount of time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Next, adding on to the tip before, set study goals for each day. It helps you have something set in place. After achieving each goal you could think that you were finished for that unit or sub unit and there wasn’t much more to do for it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Set yourself specific break times. Not taking breaks while you're studying can do more harm than good. That's why you set yourself specific times that you can get up and take a stretch break. You have to be careful about breaks because it's easy to forget about time and end up spending too much time on your phone or doing something else and losing time and focus. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When taking notes, use brighter colors to understand concepts better, like red and blue. Research shows that the color red helps you focus and the color blue helps spark creativity. Using those colors, you can understand your notes faster and easier.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lastly, listen to music. I find that listening to music motivates me for when I want to get things done fast. Don’t listen to fast paced loud music, but find some quiet music on your streaming app that you can play into the background or turn down the volume a lot if you're using earbuds.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now, hopefully you can use these and apply them when you're studying for your next test in school.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-32747300643479346022024-02-29T22:49:00.003-05:002024-02-29T22:49:19.628-05:00How young is too young for social media? Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How young is too young for social media?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-076782ed-7fff-14fb-a0b9-796dc0a8eecf"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How old were you when you got your first phone? Chances are, the younger you are, the earlier you got it. People born in the early 2000s might have gotten their phones in high school. Those born in the late 2000s might have gotten theirs in middle school. Now, there are elementary schoolers walking around with phones, and children even younger- in strollers even- have their faces plastered to an iPad before they have even learned to walk. With this comes the various dangers associated with technology- such as addiction, insecurity, and sexualization- at an extremely young age.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Short-form content has been on the rise recently, mostly because it is extremely addicting. Apps can personalize the for you page or explore page with almost creepy accuracy, keeping people hooked for as long as possible. With this, I believe that people become accustomed to instant gratification. If they don’t like a video, they can replace it within seconds with a swipe of their finger. Learning this behavior as a child may carry effects into adulthood, as I have seen that children are extremely susceptible to stimuli from their environments as they grow. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What’s more, social media could create unhealthy standards and promote sexualized behavior for children. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok feature women who seem too beautiful to be real, with hourglass figures and perfect features. In my opinion, ingraining this image of beauty in the mind of a child could shape how they perceive themselves. Furthermore, a lot of content is oversexualized to attract viewers, and there are vulgar lyrics in many trending songs. It seems like children are growing up too fast, and social media might be why.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, how young is too young exactly? While there may not be a definite answer, it’s clear that social media can have negative effects on youth. In my opinion, children should not have unrestricted access to the internet until they are in middle school, and even then, their use should be monitored. Let’s do better for the next generation. After all, they are our future.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-14183252160269174632024-02-23T13:13:00.004-05:002024-03-01T11:10:47.679-05:00Book Review: The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Book Review: The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-461b0416-7fff-3cfd-51bf-5b12976f1119"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />What happens once you die? This idea has been questioned for generations upon generations. It is a fundamental part of human thinking- hardly anyone has gone their entire lives without thinking about it at least once. A commonly-discussed idea is that of heaven: an idyllic place where you can spend the rest of your dying days in peace. However, Mitch Albom has a different idea of what heaven is like.<br /><br /> The Five People You Meet In Heaven follows the story of Eddie, an 80 year old war veteran with a leg injury. He spends his days working maintenance at Ruby Pier, a seaside amusement park. However, one day, tragedy strikes, and Eddie dies in an accident. He wakes up in heaven, and meets five people from his past, all with the same goal: to show Eddie the meaning of his life.<br /><br /> Mitch Albom’s books are written beautifully, and his language immerses you in the atmosphere of his literature. His works have an air of nostalgia, creating a romantic and charming ambience. You fall in love with the characters as if they were real people(and they are- his characters are based off of his family!), and you will finish the book with a full feeling in your heart. Few books have a good plot, and even fewer have good writing. The Five People You Meet in <br /><br /><br />Heaven has both. Mitch Albom is able to put life itself on paper. His books are short but powerful, and you will not be the same after reading them. The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a must-read!</span></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-76486303128721081152024-01-22T13:58:00.008-05:002024-01-22T13:58:46.790-05:00 Early Birds , by Anya Doshi<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Early Birds </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by: Anya Doshi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Waking up early is a habit I've come to cherish and appreciate in my daily routine. There's something truly magical about those quiet moments that set the tone for the entire day. I just love being an early bird. As I reflect on this daily practice, I find myself immersed in the quiet magic of the dawn. It's not just about the act of rising with the sun; it's a conscious decision to greet each day with open arms. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For one, the tranquility of the early morning is unparalleled. As the world around me is still wrapped in slumber, I find solace in the hushed peacefulness. The subtle rustle of leaves, the soft hum of distant traffic, and the melody of birdsong create a serenity that grounds me. It's a time for quiet reflection, a mindful pause before the demands of the day unfold. There's just something truly magical about those quiet moments that set the tone for the entire day. The absence of hustle and bustle allows for a peaceful start, providing me with the mental space to ease into the day with a clear mind.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The impact of this ritual on my daily life is profound. Firstly, productivity becomes an effortless dance in the early morning hours. In the morning, I discovered a haven for focused work. The lack of distractions allows me to delve into projects - whether that be homework assignments, morning yoga, exercising, reading, etc - with a clarity of mind that seems elusive in the chaos of later hours. The early morning has become my secret garden of productivity, where ideas bloom and creativity flourishes. There's a unique empowerment found in waking up early, an intimate understanding of time mastery. Accomplishing meaningful tasks before the world fully awakens instills a sense of control over the day. It's not about racing against the clock; it's about setting the pace. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's astonishing how much can be achieved when the world is still in repose, and I relish the sense of accomplishment that accompanies completing tasks before the clock strikes noon. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Personally, another of the most cherished rituals of my early rising journey is my morning run. It's not about chasing personal records or achieving marathon distances. Instead, it's a celebration of vitality. The cool, crisp air, the rhythmic beat of my footsteps, and the gradual illumination of the sky create the most relaxing environment. With each step, I feel a connection to the pulse of life, and this vitality becomes a guiding force that shapes the rest of my day. Early mornings provide an opportunity to embrace a healthy lifestyle, from a morning workout to a nutritious breakfast. It sets a positive tone for the rest of my day, cultivating habits that contribute to my overall well-being. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">All in all, as I navigate the early hours, I'm not merely going through the motions of a routine. I'm participating in a ritual that transcends habit. It's an intentional choice to embrace the beauty of the dawn – a canvas where mindfulness, productivity, and a touch of magic converge. It's not just about starting the day; it's about embracing the quiet, finding moments of stillness, and setting the stage for a day filled with purpose and positivity. If you're contemplating joining the early riser's club, give it a shot – you might just find the beauty in those pre-dawn hours.</span></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-17590691182774007742024-01-22T13:56:00.005-05:002024-01-22T13:56:41.185-05:00 The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware: Book Review , by Anya Doshi<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Turn of the Key </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by Ruth Ware: Book Review </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anya Doshi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I recently read Ruth Ware's</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> The Turn of the Key a</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">nd I'm eager to share my thoughts on this psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. This mystery book unfolds through the compelling narrative of Rowan Caine. The story is presented as a series of letters written by Rowan from prison, recounting the events leading to her incarceration. The novel is set in a smart home, a cutting-edge technological marvel that is supposed to make life easier but quickly becomes a sinister entity. The house, Heatherbrae, is as much a character as Rowan herself, with its automated systems and eerie surveillance-adding an extra layer of tension to the story. Ware skillfully exploits the omnipresent smart technology to create a chilling atmosphere where every creak and whisper becomes a potential threat.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As the plot unravels, Ware introduces unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The psychological tension is palpable, with unreliable narrators adding complexity to the storytelling. Rowan's character is particularly well-crafted, eliciting a mix of sympathy and suspicion as her past unfolds. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One of the features that stood out to me the most in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Turn of the Key i</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">s Ware's ability to construct an intricate and atmospheric setting. The isolation of the Scottish Highlands, the imposing architecture of Heatherbrae, and the brooding landscapes all contribute to the novel's immersive quality. The author paints a vivid picture that enhances the suspense, making the reader feel like an uneasy spectator in this remote, tech-laden mansion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Moreover, I really loved the use of letters written by Rowan from prison as an element in the novel. This added a unique and compelling layer of storytelling, leading me hooked from page 1. This also created a sense of urgency and drew me into Rowan’s perspective first-hand. Ware’s skills in weaving a complex plot with unexpected twists also kept me engaged throughout. This novel left me guessing and eager to uncover the truth until the very end. I also really liked how the narrative was coupled with unreliable narratives because it made the plot more intriguing; I was second-guessing myself and questioning the character’s every move. Beyond the suspenseful plot, the emotional depth of the novel resonated with me: navigating the eerie corridors of Heatherbrae alongside Rowan became not just an intellectual exercise but an emotional rollercoaster - and that just shows the influence Ware had on me! Overall, I think that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Turn of the Key</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was wonderfully written. Ware included vivid descriptions that heightened the suspense of the story, and she did an amazing job of setting the plot from the very beginning of the novel. It is a gripping thriller that masterfully combines suspense with thought-provoking themes. If you enjoy psychological mysteries that keep you on your toes until the very end, this one is definitely worth the read.</span></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-36399093306128566402024-01-22T13:55:00.008-05:002024-01-22T13:55:50.225-05:00 The Importance of Reading , by Anya Doshi<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Importance of Reading </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anya Doshi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Entering the world of reading has been more than a hobby for me; it’s been an opportunity for self-discovery and enrichment. Beyond the tangible, educational benefits, reading has been a sanctuary, offering solace and escape amid life’s chaos. As a child, I wasn’t one to stray away from books, but it wasn’t until June of 2020, the summer of COVID-19, that I developed my true passion for reading. I remember spending hours daily immersed in captivating stories, eagerly returning to the library for my next literary adventure. Reading was a way for me to escape the stresses and uncertainties of the pandemic. It was more than a pastime; it became a therapeutic retreat, a means to clear my mind in the midst of life’s upheavals. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Especially in today’s digital age, where information inundated us, reading has become a haven of focus. It encourages concentration and provides moments of mindfulness amid distractions. It is a way for me to slow down, physically and mentally, and find joy through each sentence of my book. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Each book I’ve embraced has been a ticket to different worlds, cultures, and perspectives, fostering a deep sense of empathy as I vicariously experience the joys and sorrows of different characters. It’s not just about expanding my knowledge but also about delving into the intricate nuances of the human experience. Reading has proven to be a gateway to a deeper understanding of the world around me. As I dive deeper into various literary works, I find that my knowledge about diverse topics expands, allowing me to navigate and comprehend the complexities of the world more effectively. This newfound awareness not only enriches my perspectives but also improves the quality of my conversations with peers. Essentially, reading has become a catalyst for more sophisticated discussions, enabling me to articulate my thoughts more eloquently and engage in meaningful exchanges of ideas. This heightened ability to express myself and contribute to discussions has, in turn, translated into an improvement in my school grades, reflecting a holistic growth fostered by the enriching habit of reading. Moreover, as I navigate into the words, I’ve noticed a subtle enhancement in my communication skills. The exposure to varied writing styles and vocabulary has not only broadened my linguistic skills but has also refined my ability to articulate thoughts more eloquently. I’ve seen significant improvement in my papers assigned for school, as well as in my interactions with peers or teachers.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In essence, reading is a journey of self-discovery, a bridge to other minds, and a source of perpetual growth. So, whether you're flipping through the pages of a novel or scrolling through a digital article, remember that each word read is a step towards a richer, more enlightened existence. I have seen both tangible and intangible improvements in my life, both within and outside the school environment, and I strongly recommend that you pick up a book and try getting into reading yourself! Each book is not just a collection of printed pages; it’s a companion, a mentor, and a colleague in the ongoing narrative of my life. </span></p><p><br /></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-30240156277718792322024-01-22T13:54:00.007-05:002024-01-22T13:54:56.314-05:00 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Book Review, by Anya Doshi<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Kite Runner </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by Khaled Hosseini: Book Review </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anya Doshi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I want to share my thoughts on Khaled Hosseini’s incredible work, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Kite Runner, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">published in 2003. This book isn't just a novel; it's a rollercoaster of emotions that explores friendship, betrayal, and the quest for redemption against the backdrop of Afghanistan.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Kite Runner </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">follows the life of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, Afghanistan. The story begins in the 1970s when Amir is a child living with a wealthy father, Baba. Amir’s closest friend is Hassan, the son of their Hazara servant. The central event that shapes the narrative occurs during a kite-flying tournament, where an incident occurs that shapes the dynamics of their friendship. As political turmoil grips Afghanistan, Amir and Baba become refugees and eventually settle in the United States. Amir grapples with the guilt of a past betrayal and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In my opinion, one of the novel’s strengths lies in its historical depth. Hosseini integrates significant events into the characters’ lives. From the Soviet Invasion to the rise and fall of the Taliban regime, the book provides a historical context that enriches the narrative. Through the lens of Amir's journey from Kabul to the United States, readers witness the profound impact of political instability on Afghan society. This not only adds more context to the story but also serves as a window to the complex socio-political state of Afghanistan at the time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Another element that I love about this book is that Hosseini's writing is both straightforward and captivating. His vivid descriptions transport readers to the streets of Kabul and the Afghan countryside. He immerses you in the characters' world, and the cultural elements not only add a layer of authenticity but also provide a glimpse into a world that may be new to many readers, including myself. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The novel also focuses on Amir and his intricate friendship with Hassan. What struck me the most was how the book beautifully portrays the complexities of human relationships. Despite their different social statuses, the friendship between Amir and Hassan is a powerful theme, infused with loyalty and sacrifice, leaving a lasting emotional impact.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In conclusion, "The Kite Runner" explores the intricate dynamics of friendship, loyalty, and the haunting events of choices made in the past. As the characters navigate the challenges of a shifting society, the novel weaves a rich tapestry of emotions, creating a beautiful narrative. I believe that Hosseini’s work doesn’t just tell a story; it invites readers to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">feel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> the character’s struggles. It is a story that lingers in your soul and speaks to the complexities of the human condition, emphasizing that the journey to redemption is challenging but undeniably worthwhile. </span></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-82710756625403882372024-01-22T13:54:00.000-05:002024-01-22T13:54:01.162-05:00 The Best Time Of The Year , by Anya Doshi<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Best Time Of The Year </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by Anya Doshi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Looking back on the recent holiday season, I find myself reflecting on the undeniable sense of joy and warmth that permeated the air. Gathering with loved ones, sharing meals, and creating memories added a special richness to the season. However, as the festivities have come to an end, there's a sense of melancholy that accompanies the realization that this period has passed. Still, let’s reflect on why the holidays are such an important time for me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">First and foremost, it's the spirit of togetherness that makes this time special. The holidays have this magical ability to bring people closer, fostering connections and creating moments that become cherished memories. Whether it's gathering around a table for a festive meal or sharing laughter by the fireplace, the festivities amplify the bonds we share with family and friends. Moreover, there's an undeniable sense of nostalgia that accompanies this time: the twinkling lights, the scent of freshly baked cookies, and the timeless tunes playing in the background transport me back to cherished moments of my childhood. It's a time when traditions come alive, creating a comforting sense of continuity and familiarity.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let's not forget the contagious spirit of generosity that fills the holiday season. Whether it's through thoughtful gifts, acts of kindness, or participating in charitable endeavors, there's an inherent desire to spread joy and goodwill. The holidays also offer a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's a time to slow down, savor the present moment, and indulge in activities that bring personal joy. The holidays serve as a reminder to embrace the magic in both the grand and the simple moments. It's a season that encourages reflection, gratitude, and an appreciation for the intangible but invaluable elements of life – love, connection, and the sheer joy of being alive. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Now, with the holiday season behind us, there's a bittersweet sentiment lingering. The twinkling lights have dimmed, the festive melodies have faded away, and the everyday routine has resumed. It's natural to feel a tinge of sadness as we bid farewell to a time that brought so much happiness. As we move forward into the new year, there's a hopeful anticipation for the adventures and experiences that lie ahead.</span></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-52188993644286614312024-01-22T13:32:00.003-05:002024-01-22T13:32:22.848-05:00Ocean Acidification , Article by Sanvi G<p> </p><h1 dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline;">Ocean Acidification (Climate Change, And Its Effects On Our Planet)</span></h1><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> Article by Sanvi G</span></span></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">At this point, it’s no secret that humans are harming the environment, whether we want to admit it or not. Every day, we contribute to the amount of damage done to the environment. There are a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">number</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> of natural landmarks and regions that have been greatly affected by our negligence. An example of this is the acidification of the waters in Tokyo Bay. Many organisms live in this environment, and all of them are endangered because of our actions.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Carbon dioxide coming into contact with water causes the PH of the water to go down. This causes a massive spike in the acidity of the water. This greatly affects marine life. Aside from marine life, our economy also is affected because of the fishing industry. The seafood industry is greatly suffering because of the dwindling marine life population. We need to solve this issue to save the animals, and to prevent our economy from suffering. While some may think that the ocean can heal itself and that we don’t need to change anything, the reality is that the ocean can’t heal off all the damage we do to it. Humans need to change their ways for the sake of the environment. </span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Tokyo Bay is home to many different marine species. They all play a part in contributing to the health of the ocean. When the water of the ocean becomes acidic, the animals living in the water begin developing abnormalities. One of the most important effects, however, are the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs. They aren’t able to produce enough calcium carbonate to sustain the population. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary stated “Ocean acidification slows the rate at which coral reefs generate calcium carbonate, thus slowing the growth of coral skeletons.” In turn, other animals and organisms that depend on the coral aren’t able to thrive as they should. This causes an overall loss in biodiversity and a decrease in population. Humans are a major cause of carbon production, and due to this, animals are suffering great casualties. This is one reason why we need to take more care of our environment. </span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Aside from the harm done to the environment, the economy greatly suffers as a result of ocean acidification. Ocean acidification can cause defects in marine ecosystems. It can also cause deformities in the structure of an organism. This can lead to reproductive problems, causing more and more of the population to be born flawed. The disease/infection in the long run leads to a decrease in healthy babies, leading to a decrease in the amount of seafood that is consumable. On top of this, a lower supply leads to a higher cost, meaning that many people can no longer afford to have seafood as part of their diet. </span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Japan is one of the most heavily reliant on seafood as part of their diet, so this problem affects them the most. Aside from one country alone, the global economy also suffers substantial losses due to the lack of seafood. It was stated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that “a falling supply of shellfish is estimated to lead to consumer losses of roughly $480 million per year by the end of the century.” This quote clearly shows to what extent our economy will suffer if you don’t fix this problem. This is another reason why we need to take more care of our environment.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">There is a lot of controversy regarding whether we should do something to help our planet. Some argue that the ocean has some natural resilience and can heal the damages we do to it. This could not be further from the truth, as the damages we do to the ocean far outweigh its chances of stabilizing itself. If we don’t do something about this issue now, then even the chance that we have now will go to waste. The ocean provides so much for us, and yet we continue to neglect it.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> To those who think that nothing has to be done, think about a rubber band. If you stretch it a little, it’ll come back to its original shape. However, if you keep stretching it, it won’t retain its shape. Eventually, the rubber band will break entirely. The ocean is like a rubber band. If a little pressure is applied on it, it’ll go back to normal. If we continue to harm our ocean, it’ll be unfixable, just like the rubber band. This is why the argument that the ocean will heal itself isn’t an accurate argument.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The oceans are irreplaceable, and nothing mankind can make could ever compare to the ocean. We need to take more care of the ocean and watch what we, humanity, have done to the ecosystem. Through our carelessness, the ocean has lost so many species of animals. They can never be brought back. Even now, many species are endangered due to the actions of humans. We need to protect our oceans for marine life, and to protect our economy. While few may think that it’s not necessary to protect the oceans because it can heal itself off, the truth is that it’s simply unable to do so. If we all work together, maybe we can bring a change. Maybe we can atone for the atrocities humanity has committed against the ocean.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I wrote the articles out in MLA citation. Would that work?</div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.88; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Coral bleaching and ocean acidification are two climate-related impacts to coral reefs.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">,</span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/climatethreat.html&source=gmail&ust=1706032826057000&usg=AOvVaw3GXMPCui0Wu10x2ZZ4ez1N" href="http://www.floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/climatethreat.html" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.88; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/climatethreat.html&source=gmail&ust=1706032826057000&usg=AOvVaw3GXMPCui0Wu10x2ZZ4ez1N" href="http://www.floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/climatethreat.html" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.floridakeys.noaa.gov/<wbr></wbr>corals/climatethreat.html</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. Accessed Feb 1 2023. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.88; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">“Effects of Ocean and Coastal Acidification on Ecosystems.” </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">United States Environmental Protection Agency,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.88; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/effects-ocean-and-coastal-acidification-ecosystems%23:~:text%3DEconomists%2520predict%2520that%2520unchecked%2520acidification,the%2520end%2520of%2520the%2520century&source=gmail&ust=1706032826057000&usg=AOvVaw2_krhfrWI2py61zHSqMRP-" href="https://www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/effects-ocean-and-coastal-acidification-ecosystems#:~:text=Economists%20predict%20that%20unchecked%20acidification,the%20end%20of%20the%20century" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.epa.gov/ocean-<wbr></wbr>acidification/effects-ocean-<wbr></wbr>and-coastal-acidification-<wbr></wbr>ecosystms#:~:text=Economists%<wbr></wbr>20predict%20that%20unchecked%<wbr></wbr>20acidification,the%20end%<wbr></wbr>20of%20the%20century</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. Accessed Feb 1 2023</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-64206200590646761382024-01-18T10:28:00.000-05:002024-01-18T10:28:22.769-05:00Digital Era Communication, by Sanvi G<p style="text-align: center;"> Digital Era Communication</p><p style="text-align: center;">by Sanvi G</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">As we’re delving deeper into the Digital Era, our lives are becoming more and more dependent on technology, so much so that we’re even beginning to replace face-to-face interactions with online communication. There have been various viewpoints on this issue. Some believe that online communication is the superior mode, while others say that face-to-face interaction will never be replaced as the best mode. Though there are some drawbacks with it, digital communication is better than face-to-face communication for a plethora of reasons. Technology allows people to communicate more easily at a lower cost, and it also can be beneficial for many with special needs or social anxiety. While some may say that communicating electronically may lead to misunderstandings between friends, in-person communication can undoubtedly do the same thing, as humans sometimes aren’t the best at communicating their feelings.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Imagine you want to ask your friend what you should wear for a party. With in-person communication, there would be virtually no way to do so. With online, however, you could just shoot your friend a text and they'd probably respond, as both the sender and receiver have notifications on. It's faster, and you don't have to meet up with them in-person. Comparative to in-person meetings, the cost of texting someone is much cheaper. This is due to the fact that one needn't drive to a location to meet, saving gas, money, and time. If efficiency and saving money are your priority, it's clear to see that digital communication takes the cake. </span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Some people just don't feel comfortable talking to others in person. This may be due to social anxiety, or just the fact that they have trouble expressing themselves. In person, they have to worry about a plethora of key elements. Body language, vocal inflection, and tone all are important to in-person communication. Some may struggle with these elements, giving people around them the wrong idea. For example, if someone has a habit of arching their brows, they may always seem either confused or angry, regardless of what they're trying to say. This may make it so that others are apprehensive of them, and they will feel socially awkward as a result of this. Online, however, it's not necessary to worry about all of this, as text doesn't usually convey emotion. They can start to feel more and more comfortable online, making more friends and building their social life. Digital communication can be an essential part of building one's social life. </span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Though some may argue that online communication can be quick, careless, and full of errors, it's not as though in-person communication won't start fights either. In the heat of the moment, people may say things that they don’t mean. On the other hand, people usually think twice before sending a message with malicious intent. Additionally, humans by nature are known to spin stories. This is known as gossip. If two friends are in a disagreement, chances are that a third party, eager to make it seem more interesting, will start spreading false rumors. These false rumors can lead to disagreements between friends, which are much harder to resolve than digital arguments that start because of a direct misunderstanding. All in all, the issue of misunderstandings comes up in both online and in-person communication, because that's just the way humans are.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">It's inevitable that people dislike online communication becoming more popular, but it's important to note that it will be the future of our population for two main reasons: the fact that it's more convenient and cheaper, and for the fact that it's more accommodating to those that don't like in-person communication. These reasons provide substantial ground for one to make the argument that online communication is above in-person communication. Some may say that online communication doesn't send the intended message across effectively and may cause rifts between friends, but it's better than the alternative of in-person communication starting problems because of rumors, gossip, and saying things one doesn't mean. Digital interaction is the future for its many benefits when compared to face-to-face communication. </span></p>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-54866590410365669102024-01-11T11:07:00.003-05:002024-01-11T11:07:23.555-05:00 Journaling Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Journaling</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-555f3253-7fff-5c49-1a7a-63e904240491"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It seems like a million thoughts swirl through my head every single day. It can be overwhelming, and it’s difficult to sort out my feelings and understand how I really feel. It’s stressful - unless I get them out somehow. Enter the age-old practice of journaling, my favorite way to organize my thoughts.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Journaling is an amazing tool that helps get my thoughts onto paper. When I can physically see the words that are floating through my mind, I am able to process them easier and recognize solutions to problems that I wouldn’t have before. It allows me to take a break from the hectic environment of my own mind and release everything where nobody will ever see it. Furthermore, as I write for long periods of time, I can look back at my old journals and see how far I’ve come mentally. Journaling has helped my mental health so much, and it could do the same for you. So, how do you start?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are many different types of journaling, and I find it helpful to have various journals for each type. The journal that I use the most often is just a simple composition notebook, where I try to write a page or two each day about what I’m thinking about, what happened recently, any problems I have, and the solutions that I find during the process. Many times, I have started writing a page with some complaint about my life, and by the time I end the page I’ve already found the solution. If you’re looking to start journaling, I recommend starting here. It’s the simplest and most convenient- all you need to do is write what you’re thinking. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Another form of journaling is something called “stream of consciousness”, which is great for beginners. I saw this online a while ago, and it has also helped me a lot. The main idea is to write for twenty minutes WITHOUT stopping. The result is an unfiltered progression of my emotions and thoughts on paper. The things I am worrying about will work their way onto the paper, even if I haven’t been conscious about them. Don’t worry too much about the quality of what you write, the main point is to just write. I personally write a stream of consciousness journal whenever I feel extremely overwhelmed. Dumping all my thoughts into a notebook and then closing it feels like closing the thoughts themselves, and it helps me calm down when I have a lot of problems in my mind. It is also useful for creating steps to solving a problem, as you can write down any ideas you have the second they appear in your head so you don’t forget them later.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Journaling is a powerful tool for self-discovery and mental fulfillment, not just a hobby. By adding this seemingly simple but extremely effective practice into your life, you will be better equipped to understand the complex facets of your own life. Give it a try, and the positive effects will gradually appear.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-4769696309169372252024-01-11T10:40:00.000-05:002024-01-11T10:40:04.160-05:00Nostalgia Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nostalgia</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1210334e-7fff-a175-6356-b4a1fc013cfe"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I’m sure we all know the feeling of familiarity when we are reminded of an old childhood toy, the place we grew up, or a school that we’ve graduated from long ago. A strange bubbly feeling rises in our chests, and we try to take it all in- to remember those memories that we had once buried. Strangely enough, nostalgia is often regarded as something nice. It’s a warm feeling, one that fills us with joy. But why is that? How can the feeling of missing something be nice?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The feeling of familiarity is something that many people reach for. Familiarity means knowing, and knowing means comfort. The comfort of a life you once knew, of happiness you once had. A comforting feeling feels like a warm blanket on a cold day. It wraps you up and promises you protection from the bitter coldness of reality. It promises happiness, an escape from the real world into the world of dreams and memories. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And yet, underneath that happiness, there lies a bittersweet feeling of regret. You miss what you once had. You want it back, no matter the cost. The innocence and ignorance of something that once was. The worst part is that you can never return to your youth, no matter how much you wish. Time is linear. Trying to immerse yourself deeper in the past will only result in a disconnection from reality, and you will lose sight of what is around you in the present tense. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I think that it is important to recognize both the positive and negative aspects of nostalgia. Let the wave of recognition wash over you and pass through, not stay. Remember what you once had, not in order to chase it, but to remember how lucky you once were- and to recognize that you are likely just as lucky now, just in ways that you may not realize. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Consolas, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-15271833948735756682024-01-09T16:09:00.004-05:002024-01-09T16:09:42.301-05:00Random Word Generator , a poem by: Aditi Chaugule<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Random Word Generator</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-28b8854f-7fff-78da-d76b-7e5ccbee3403"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By: Aditi Chaugule</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It’s 8:01pm</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I opened up a random word generator</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Functional</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, it reads</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">On this overly bright screen</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Am I truly functional?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Or am I just there,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In this world</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">An organic B L in the universe…?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> O B</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I did what anyone would do</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I look up the definition of </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">functional</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It means to have a specific task </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and be </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">good</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> at it</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Well,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Living is a task</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">mechanical</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> task</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That I am seemingly good at</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">‘15 years without breaking a sweat!!’</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That must be some feat?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But wait,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If I am mechanical</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I will never have just one function</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Because machines are</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">presumed</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Multitaskers</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, what is my other task?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To be honest, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sometimes when i’m stumped about something,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I resort to baby logic</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I guess…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Machine </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Doesn’t equal</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Human</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So how am I required to be functional?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">My conclusions:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Functionality is a made up word (as all words inherently are)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I am no machine, so I do not have to always be functional</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Functionality is relative (now I sound like Einstein)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Its 8:28pm… and I’m tired</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do what makes you functional(and happy) :)</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-46811817946420215102023-12-28T14:05:00.000-05:002023-12-28T14:05:08.452-05:00 Vaping in High School, by Vivan Brahmbhatt<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Vaping in High School</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: bold; text-wrap: nowrap;">Vivan Brahmbhatt</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a8f48496-7fff-a8b4-c7e3-ebd359df9938"><table cellpadding="0" class="cf gJ" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: auto;"><tbody style="display: block;"></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Vaping is the act of inhalation and exhalation of aerosol produced by electronic cigarettes. It has seen an unprecedented rise in popularity among students from 2010 to the present day. This exponential growth is a giant concern, especially because of the use of vapes within school premises, posing a concern for health and academic performance. This essay will explain these effects to raise awareness and to take action to better the lives of students. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Vaping has many health concerns. According to the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey 2.13 million or 7.7% of all highschool students just in the United States Vape. 2.13 million is no small number, all these students could be experiencing or will be experiencing detrimental health concerns. The harmful chemicals could cause health risks that are irreversible, vapes produce chemicals like “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. These aldehydes can cause lung disease, as well as cardiovascular (heart) disease” (American Lung Diseases). This explains</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> that the chemicals present in e-cigarette aerosols, have the potential to induce both lung disease and cardiovascular conditions and these conditions are not a joke, students might not be effected after using the vape once or twice but repeated use could cause death or their life span to be shortened exponentially due to these serious diseases.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In addition, vaping can also affect students' academic performance. A lot of the time it's hard for students to stop using a vape because of the nicotine found in them. They are also very easy to get, fairly cheap for a high schooler, and last a pretty long time. Unfortunately students get addicted and that affects them in school, a study in 2021 found, “students who began to use e-cigarettes missed assignments, skipped classes, and reported lower GPAs than those who didn’t use tobacco products” (McMahon). This demonstrates another overall negative effect of vaping, parents are expecting their kids to get good grades and if the student has fulfilled that their whole school life and now is declining could raise major suspicion in the family and could cause more problems.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In conclusion, vaping can cause problems with education and overall health. The amount of students vaping is very concerning and should be addressed. Addressing this issue should be a priority for the education system to better the future of these students.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bibliography: </span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">American Lung Association. “Health Risks of E-Cigarettes and Vaping | American Lung Association.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Www.lung.org</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, American Lung Association, 31 May 2023, www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/impact-of-e-cigarettes-on-lung.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">McMahon, Patrick . “How Vaping in School Affects Teachers and the Classroom.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Www.verkada.com</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, 1 Nov. 2022, www.verkada.com/blog/vaping-school-affects-teachers-classroom.</span></p></li></ul></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-72606945756108781092023-12-28T13:57:00.004-05:002023-12-28T13:57:40.289-05:00The Modern Break-Up author Daniel Chidiac, Book rec by Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Book Rec: The Modern Break-Up by Daniel Chidiac</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c6a7a8b7-7fff-d397-423a-55b6c85e9255"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina Shi</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In our fast-paced society, it seems like things are changing every day. From technological advancements to clothing and fashion trends, nearly everything has undergone drastic changes as time has passed. Romance is no exception. Romance these days is extremely different from how it was in the 1900s, and Daniel Chidiac addresses this drastic shift perfectly in his book, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Modern</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Break</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">-</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Up</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> This book goes over the details of what romance is like today and why it's so confusing. I thought this book had a great insight into how social media is now playing a big factor in relationships. However, the book also addresses issues that have been going on for as long as romance has existed, such as miscommunication and misunderstanding. The book switches perspectives from all types of people, from men to women to mothers, and it demonstrates how everybody has a distinct perspective on love and how we all go through different experiences.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I have always been a fan of the philosophy of love, and I am particularly interested in learning more about it. Therefore, I loved this book. It showed me a new perspective that I had never thought about before, and I learned many alarming truths about life today. However, I do admit that it's not for everyone. The characters go through very specific scenarios, and if you can't relate to at least one of them, the book might be a little bit difficult to get through. Additionally, it feels like more of an informative book than a novel, as it is less like one consecutive story and more like several small stories pieced together- so it may feel a bit noncontinuous. Regardless, I still think the book reveals valuable information about our society today and I thoroughly recommend it. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-30460339669002933352023-12-09T11:08:00.001-05:002023-12-09T11:08:06.072-05:00Healthy Eating Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Healthy Eating</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd36e838-7fff-6378-6116-a1e7c823762b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are countless benefits to eating healthy, but it can be intimidating. You may think that you need to leave the comfort of your favorite foods behind. Furthermore, grocery store shelves are lined with processed food, refined sugars, and hydrogenated fats. It’s definitely not easy- but making a positive change in your life is never easy. With so much information on the internet, it’s difficult to figure out how exactly you should eat. You might wonder, “Should I try this diet?”, “What foods should I eat?”, or “Do I need to buy fresh and organic?” I’m here today to tell you what I think.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Should I try this diet?”</span><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Fad diets are all the rage. Keto, raw food, carnivore, intermittent fasting, weight watchers… and countless more. Many of these promote fast weight loss or a healthy lifestyle- however, that may not always be the case. In fact, many people who go on these diets find them unsustainable and may even gain their weight back after the diet. Everybody will find different results with diets, but from personal experience I believe that diets are unhealthy and only promote disordered eating. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“What foods should I eat?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I believe that too many people overcomplicate healthy eating. At the simplest, I think that everyone should include more whole foods in their diet. That means, shopping more in the produce section instead of in the snack aisle. Making this small change is a great first step. After this, you can get more into the specifics. Many people already know what foods are considered healthy- fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meat, whole grains- but they still avoid them. Why? I have heard many people say that the reason they don’t eat healthy is because they simply don’t like the taste. This is easy to fix. Try including spices and sauces in your meals! Furthermore, part of eating healthy is finding balance. You shouldn’t try to make every single meal perfect- you can find space to include the foods you enjoy too, just in moderate portions. As long as you continually make steps in a positive direction, you can continue to eat your comfort foods. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Do I need to buy fresh or organic?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Fresh or organic foods are often considered superior to frozen, dried, or non-organic foods. Although it’s great to get fresh produce, it’s not always the most convenient option. Some people may be deterred from buying healthy food because they are afraid of losing the convenience and cheapness that comes with processed food. But the truth is, frozen, dried, or non-organic vegetables… are still vegetables. And including more vegetables in your diet is already a great step towards healthy eating. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Healthy eating often seems much more complicated than it actually is. Remember to focus not on what you can cut out, but on positive foods that you can add to your diet. Focus on balance and long-term gratification- it will be worth it in the end!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sources:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Fad Diets/unsustainability: </span><a href="https://www.ohsu.edu/womens-health/fad-diets-are-they-sustainable" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.ohsu.edu/womens-health/fad-diets-are-they-sustainable</span></a><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why whole foods are better for you: </span><a href="https://www.ice.edu/blog/why-should-we-eat-whole-foods" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.ice.edu/blog/why-should-we-eat-whole-foods</span></a><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Balancing diets with comfort foods: </span><a href="https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2022/eat-what-you-love-and-still-lose-weight/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2022/eat-what-you-love-and-still-lose-weight/</span></a><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Frozen vegetables containing same nutritional value: </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25526594/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25526594/</span></a><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Non-organic produce containing same nutritional value: </span><a href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/are-organic-foods-really-healthier-two-pediatricians-break-it-down/2019/04" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/are-organic-foods-really-healthier-two-pediatricians-break-it-down/2019/04</span></a><span style="font-family: Lexend, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-64273881478250479362023-12-09T10:19:00.001-05:002023-12-09T10:19:02.109-05:00The Toxins of Social Media- and How to Help Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Toxins of Social Media- and How to Help</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-23cd40a7-7fff-b884-a993-b0b9889eefdb"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Social media platforms have been taking the world by storm in recent years, connecting people all around the world with a few clicks of a button. Today, nearly everyone is immersed in social media, creating accounts on every single platform to share things with their friends in different ways. However, not everything about social media is positive. There are many negative side effects that people may not realize at a first glance, especially when their brains are not fully developed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To start, social media can create unrealistic expectations. Especially on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, people try to post the best parts of their life. However, when looking through these highlights, it may seem like their entire life is perfect from an outside view. This can cause feelings of dissatisfaction or unhappiness with your own life. It’s important to know that nothing is as perfect as it seems. Nobody would want to share their darkest moments on social media, because they aren’t “trendy” or because they wouldn’t get a lot of likes. Furthermore, more people edit their photos than you would think, creating an even more distorted view of reality.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What’s more, social media is extremely addicting. A new form of content has emerged, consisting of short videos that can be scrolled through without limit. TikTok, Instagram reels, YouTube shorts- they are addicting, and these companies know it. They are designed to captivate your attention and make sure that you never leave. If you get bored of a video, you can swipe and replace it with something new in less than a second. Therefore, even when people realize the negative effects of social media and want to leave, it can be difficult because they develop a drug-like dependency. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you are looking to reduce your social media use, you’re in luck. Here are a few tips to help you escape from the cycle that so many other people are helplessly stuck in. </span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Set screen time limits on yourself.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The best way to stop using social media is to not </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">let </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">yourself use social media. By setting screen time limits, you are controlling social media rather than letting social media control you.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Delete your social media apps.</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This doesn’t mean that you need to quit social media completely- after all, there are still some benefits. However, try switching to the web version instead of the app. It’ll be less addicting while still allowing you to connect with your friends.</span></p><ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Get a new hobby.</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Find something that you enjoy </span><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">more</span><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> than social media- something that makes you feel better after doing it, not worse. This way, you can do something that will provide long-term happiness and fulfillment. You could try reading, art, exercising, or hanging out with your friends.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Quitting an addiction is never easy. It’s important to take things one step at a time to ensure long-term results. Remember that you are capable of taking control of your own life and leaving an addiction behind even if it is difficult. The results of hard work will always be worth it. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-84811644716630250992023-12-09T10:17:00.003-05:002023-12-09T10:17:57.157-05:00How To: Learn a New Language Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How To: Learn a New Language</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f7f7f808-7fff-a5d1-4095-fec84b852394"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you’re like me, you’ve tried to learn new languages on Duolingo or by watching YouTube videos- but nothing seems to work. Learning new languages can be a fulfilling challenge as you watch an entirely new world develop right in front of your eyes by expanding your horizons to the culture and people of a new dialect. However, it’s no easy task. Here are some ways to learn new languages and stick with them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">First, ditch Duolingo and those “learn (insert language) in 10 minutes!” videos. Personally, those strategies have never stuck. Next, start writing and speaking the language as soon as you can, especially if you’re an absolute beginner. Try talking about what you’ve been doing recently with your life, your hobbies, facts about your life, etc. This will help you develop the vocabulary that you use the most often. You can write it in English first, translate it, and try to write it or speak it from memory. Start with small phrases. To find the translation, don’t be afraid to use Google Translate. It’s often looked down on in language classes, but it can actually be an extremely useful tool. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Once you have developed a basic understanding of the language, move on to reading children’s stories in the language, watching videos with captions, listening to songs, and listening to podcasts. This will help you further expand your knowledge of the language by learning words that </span><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">other </span><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">people use often. Try to keep a journal, document, or note where you write new vocabulary and their definitions. Go through the words often and see if you can remember the definitions. Cross out or delete words once you are absolutely sure of the definitions. Furthermore, begin to learn the grammar rules and conjugations, and keep a sheet of those as well.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When you believe you have an intermediate understanding of the language, you can move on to more difficult strategies. Try watching videos without captions, singing songs, reading novels, and writing paragraphs. Continue to practice and keep your vocabulary and grammar sheets handy. As you learn more and more, you will eventually develop fluency. Practice makes perfect!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span></p><div><br /></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-70502986228553078332023-12-06T19:13:00.003-05:002023-12-06T19:13:21.278-05:00Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover Review by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5594dc07-7fff-0d23-a150-255d24b01258"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Review by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I just finished reading Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to like it so much. I had heard a lot of positivity online about Colleen Hoover’s books- so much that I was almost skeptical- but I was pleasantly surprised. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The book follows the romance of a girl named Kenna, who made a tragic mistake by driving drunk and killing her boyfriend in the process. She goes to prison for involuntary manslaughter, but she doesn’t know that she’s carrying his baby. When her daughter is born, she’s still in prison- and so they take her baby and send her to grow up in the care of her dead boyfriend’s parents.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As the story progresses, the reader can see just how much love she has for her child, even though they have never met. Colleen Hoover does a fantastic job of describing the agony Kenna feels at being unable to see her daughter, Diem, as everyone in her small town blames her for the accident. Furthermore, they believe that Kenna felt no regret for the accident and that Diem would be better off without a mother like her. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ledger, her boyfriend’s best friend, is the only one willing to hear her out. And- believe it or not- he’s also helping to take care of the daughter that Kenna wants to meet so badly. Although in the beginning he also blames her for the accident, he begins to see her as a human being who just made a mistake rather than a monster who left his best friend to die.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I don’t want to spoil too much, so I’ll leave you to discover the rest. This book was heart wrenching, and Hoover was able to invoke within me the same feelings of desperation, regret, and sadness that all of the characters felt. It mixes beauty with tragedy, love with hate, and resentment with forgiveness. This book is an absolute must read for fans of romance. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Comfortaa, cursive; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-36121152542139482032023-12-06T19:12:00.004-05:002023-12-06T19:12:51.210-05:00Meditation: Healing the Soul Article by: Svetina S<p> <span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 24pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Meditation: Healing the Soul</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-891ef440-7fff-ae35-f674-7c8cceb7fdcc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Article by: Svetina S</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the hectic nature of our everyday lives, it’s hard to get a break. We’re surrounded by constant stimulation, from the flashy videos on social media to the seemingly incessant background noise of cars driving past our homes, blasting music or honking their horns. In a world like ours, we can often get sweeped away with the energy of life around us and lose the focus of what we really are. The simple solution to reconnecting with our inner selves? Meditation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Meditation comes in many forms, but my favorite way to practice it is simple and can be done anywhere. Simply set a timer for twenty minutes, or your desired length, and sit down and close your eyes. If you prefer, you can play music or a podcast, but I think that silence allows me to most deeply connect with my thoughts. Although silence may be uncomfortable, it’s important to get rid of distractions that may break your stream of thought.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some things you might want to think about are: </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What have I been avoiding recently?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">How can I get to where I want to be?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Am I being true to myself in the words I say and the actions I do?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">How can I make myself better?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What do I want? What do I need? Are they the same things?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What am I afraid to tell other people?</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Everyone is going through their own experiences, and these questions are not set in stone. Choose to think about what will help you most. Don’t be afraid of the answer- you must embrace every part of yourself, even the ones that you don’t like. That is the only way you can truly understand who you are, and from there make decisions that help you instead of hurt you. Good luck! :)</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765165052075553468.post-35082243733497194632023-12-06T19:12:00.000-05:002023-12-06T19:12:00.203-05:00 What Sports Teaches You By Vihaan Mehta<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What Sports Teaches You</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1231fd28-7fff-cfcf-605f-daf82bab037a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By Vihaan Mehta</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I want to be the best. I want to earn fame. I love this sport. I cannot fail. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Have you ever heard any sports athlete say this to you? Are you the sports athlete who is constantly thinking about the fame and competition in whatever sport you adore? Millions and millions of people play sports each day. It could just be a hobby or it could be a career they are trying to accomplish. Though, have you ever thought about what sports teaches you? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">From the perspective of a professional sports player, playing a sport is a very difficult task. To begin with, There are many ups and downs in their careers which teach them one very important lesson. Mental well-being. Any sport teaches a person how to condition their mind and become mentally strong. As a sports player, you can learn the art of mental toughness. A sport teaches you how to overcome those bad days and bad people. This can later help in life and make one stronger. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Moving on, sports teaches the art of discipline and hardwork. In order to win the ICC World Cup trophy, Ballon D'or, NBA championship, Olympic gold medal or any big or small award. Athletes have to be disciplined with their training and work ethic. An example can be that the player has to wake up on time for early morning sessions and be disciplined by not attending late night clubs or wasting any other time. Discipline and Hardwork can be used outside of sports in normal day-to-day life as it is a key part to achieve your goals and master the success</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Adding on, playing a sport helps you be more social and it is a great way to entertain yourself with friends and families. Instead of spending time at home, why not go outside and try a fun sport like Cricket, Basketball, Soccer etc. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To conclude, sports teaches various life lessons. It keeps our body healthy and active. So why not try out a sport and join in with the fun!!!</span></p><br /></span>SBPL blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388372776231327591noreply@blogger.com0