Grimm: Week 2

I Missed Them.

    Prior to attending Nazareth High School I went to Holy Family from preschool to eighth grade. I had a lot of friends, some best friends and in middle school I met some really cool people. Recently I got back in touch with two of them on snapchat. Haley and Abby, they're basically sisters. They've grown up together since kindergarten and decided to invite me on their recurring Tuesday hangout.
    The "sisters" hadn't seen me in years and I lost a lot of weight so it was pretty jarring I think for them. Compared to a lot of other reintroductions at my front door it wasn't awkward and we hugged. I missed them more than I think I ever knew. Yes, I made a lot of new friends since middle school, but to see these people that I struggled with, recognized and knew so well was a breath of fresh air. I didn't need to overly exhaust my personality to try to make up for a lack of chemistry, I could be myself. We just picked up where we left off.
    Haley drove us in her BMW to pick up starbucks, which I previously ordered on my app. I accidentally forgot to adjust the pickup time so I had to call and ask them to make the drinks later. It was a whole thing. After starbucks and some quick catching up about relationships and work we headed to Walmart to find Abby this strange spice called buckweed. She said the herb is supposed to bring vivid dreams, I think it was on TikTok or something. Surprise, surprise, after awkwardly standing behind this old man trying to read all the spice labels, Walmart did not carry the obscurity. Haley was gonna buy cheese balls, but she's on some kind of new diet that makes her drink loads of water and I guess that's also why she didn't get them. One quick bathroom break later and we were off across the street to Target. From the very moment I got in that passenger seat Haley was going on about this karaoke microphone that hooks up to some app. I think it's the James Corden one, not sure. So we checked the games section and couldn't find it. Later an employee let us know the mic is only being sold on the Target website now. That was probably the saddest thing we experienced the whole night. At least Haley got to pay ten bucks for a toy car as a gift for her boyfriend. He's not crazy, I think, just has a thing for automobiles in the form of toys. Now that I think about it we probably should have checked Target for buckweed as well, but it all kind of happened so fast and my body was fully running on caffeine. The night before I didn't get much sleep, maybe like three hours. That's not a normal habit by the way, I was just obsessing over something. Back to our adventure! After some grocery shopping we made our way down to the Palmer Mall. When coming down on 248 there's a stoplight that doesn't allow left turns so we had to go a different way. Everyone who lives in our area probably knows that we're supposed to stay straight and to the right to make that little turn around. For some reason Haley had no idea and ended up turning us around in a parking lot. I felt really smart.
For chorus I need a black fancy black belt so we ventured into Boscov's. After wandering around for a while and possibly going through another dimension we finally found the men's belts and I got a size 32 because I'm skinny now! I can't tell you how different my life is and yes, it might be annoying to mention my weight loss several times, but I'm happy about it and everyone needs to know. Of course I'm by no means saying larger humans are not beautiful, because they are. I personally felt really unhealthy and insecure, so I made a change.
    After some more catching up and shopping at Spencer's, FYE and of course Boscov's we got dinner at Friendly's. We sat down at our booth for not even a full minute before the waitress came and asked for our orders. That's one of my biggest pet peeves, kind of, it's just annoying. I ended up getting a BLT on white bread even though I ordered whole wheat, but we're not upset about that because we're still skinny. Also got veggies on the side and there was some weird yellow carrot shaped veggie I've never seen or had before. It tasted absolutely like nothing and looked very untrustworthy, but I ate it, ooops.
    It was getting to be late and Haley's mom is a little insane and we had to get back soon. Of course not until desert was over and the bill came. When I say I felt like the most adult, adult that's ever adulted, I really did. We had to split the bill at the end, in kind of an out of body experience I watched as dollars were thrown on the table trying to match the total. Definitely reminded me of my family when we used to go out like a full year ago now.
    I wish I could tell you all the things we talked about, but of course that's personal and they don't even know I'm writing this. It would make for a really interesting story, but sadly I can't. Although I do think when "the sister's" get a bit older they should write a book about their life together. It would be like Gilmore Girls esk and I don't know, I'd buy that.


8th Grade Graduation.

Brougham Week 2

 Karate:

   The first five years of my life were very erratic. I moved six times during this span, and my parents always talk about the effect this had on me. Although I was young, my parents noticed that I was not social when it came time for me to go to preschool or kindergarten. My teachers would talk about how shy I was and how this could be an issue. This prompted my kindergarten teacher to recommend Action Karate Nazareth to my mom. Her son was currently enrolled and loved it, so she thought the program would be a good fit for me. Although I begged my mom to not sign up, she insisted on it. To this day, that has been one of the best decisions she has ever made for me. I have learned many life skills in this school where I would have never learned anywhere else.

    Like mentioned earlier, I was always very shy. I had no friends in preschool or kindergarten, and I was fine with that. Action Karate Nazareth has brought me so far out of my shell. After training for 3 years, I was able to earn my junior black belt at the age of eight. Earning this belt sparked my confidence. It helped me believe that I really could do whatever I put my mind to. Luckily, I was always naturally gifted in this sport. My technique was great, I had amazing flexibility, and I was able to do super cool tricks, such as certain flips. This prompted my invitation to a traveling competition team. I was a member of the team for around 6 years, and now have been a captain for the last year. These two events are two of the most important events of my life. My belt and invitation happened around the same time, and they both skyrocketed my confidence. Being force to perform and do crazy tricks across the country in front of judges and audiences was something I never thought I would be able to do. We would perform at half time shows, schools, movie theaters, and annual competitions located in Washington DC and Ocean City Maryland. These all helped me gain confidence

    Over the past eleven years, I have tested for my junior black belt at the age of eight, my first degree black belt when I was eleven, and my second degree black belt when I was fourteen. On this track, I should have my third degree right before I turn 18 in June of 2022. All three occasions were four hour long tests. They were three of the most difficult moments in my life. Knowing that I accomplished these helps me in my everyday life by reminding myself that I can get through anything I put my mind to. On top of this, I have started teaching. I teach each age level class offered (3-7,7-12,12 and up). I teach four classes every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night, each class around 25 students. I also teach the Junior and Senior competition team every Sunday morning. This was another thing I never thought I could have been able to do. I was always scared of public speaking, however now doing it five days a week in front of groups of 20+, this is no longer an issue for me.

    Although this doesn't relate to my confidence, I feel as if it would be wrong to talk about my journey without mentioning the relationships I have made along the way. I have met such amazing people here, as well as three of my very best friends. Most of these friends have come from the team that I am on. There is such a strong connection that we have which will never be forgotten. All of the memories of the nerves right before we go on, or all of the team parties we have, or just the eventful practices, will always live in our minds. Below is a picture of the staff at one our (covid safe) Halloween party. Being the youngest, working with all of these amazing adults is eye opening. There is me, sixteen, one of my best friends, nineteen, another guy who is 20, and then a bunch of adults that are 30+. One would think the age differences would keep us from working well together, but some of the closest people in my life are literal parents, however I consider them my best friends. Overall, my martial arts journey is, and has been, an amazing, eventful, and life changing journey that I will forever hold close to my heart.

Ahearn Week #2

 Savor Every Second

    COVID-19 has had a huge impact on all of us in our own ways, but it specifically changed my appreciation for the game of basketball. I have always been grateful to have supportive and encouraging coaches and teammates and I am thankful for every game that I have been able to play in, but I never realized how much I still took for granted. Last season, our high school basketball team was runner-up in the EPC Tournament and we also won the district championship. Our team broke the record for most 3 pointers in a game, we had the best record in school history (26-4), and we had the furthest run in the state playoffs by making it to the quarter-finals. 

    After all our big wins, we would scream music on the bus rides home with music blaring through the speakers. We’d go out to Red Robin for team dinners. We’d have pasta parties the night before the next upcoming game to fuel our bodies. Not once did we think all of this would come to a halt. We felt like we were unstoppable.  This all changed after our last game. We played Altoona on a Monday night in the second round of the state playoffs. Our team won the game 59-48 and then prepared for the rest of the week to play North Allegheny. On Thursday, the day before the game, our coaches brought us into the gym and explained that we were being required to take two weeks off. We all sat around on the court in shock by what our coaches had just told us. We asked questions that they didn’t have the answer to. On our time off, our team did virtual Zoom workouts to stay in shape for the rest of our season. We continued to get pushed back week by week, so we would have team Zoom calls to keep in touch and we all still worked over Zoom as well. Each and every one of us held onto the idea that we would get to finish. Week after week, that hope slowly went away. Then we received the news from the PIAA that the state playoffs would not be finished for the 2019-2020 season. 

    
    Tears were shed and we were all devastated that we couldn’t play for a state title because it was what we were working for all season long. It was at this moment, we all learned we couldn’t take any practice or any game for granted because we don’t know when it will all be over. We had no clue that our game against Altoona was going to be our last time going through our pregame pep talk, the last time we sang songs at the top of our lungs on the bus, and the last time we got to step on the court. Although we are all extremely upset about how our last season came to an end, we use it to motivate us this season. We don’t know if or when we are going to be told we need to stop playing, so we are putting in the hard work and savoring every moment of it while it lasts. 

Our team after winning the District Championship

Dawe: Week 2

 The Program

A couple of years ago I read the book The Program by Suzanne Young. I have read tons of books since then, however, this book is one I find myself thinking about the most. It is a science fiction novel that takes place in the future when depression is a rapidly spreading disease.

Many teens and young adults are diagnosed with depression every day. In the book, it is almost like a contagious disease. If someone's close friend or family member starts feeling depressed then they will start feeling the same way. In order to try to stop the spread, everyone is closely monitored and students are given quizzes daily about how they are feeling that day. If one has any symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts, they are sent to The Program.

The Program is considered to be a cure for depression. Students are sent to a hospital-like building where they are heavily monitored. Every day they are sent into a room with a “therapist” and given two pills. One to make them speak the truth and the other to make them forget everything they say. The “therapist” asks them a series of questions about their personal lives, trying to find what caused them to become depressed. Although they don't know this, everything they say, they are forgetting. Basically, the program erases their memories, so there is no reason to feel depressed.

More and more people in today's society are diagnosed with depression daily. Therefore it is not hard to imagine a society such as this one. It kind of scares me that something like the program could become our reality one day. Yes, I know we probably won't be erasing each other's memories, but what if depression gets so bad that we have to take similar drastic measures such as these?

I found this book to be very interesting and highly recommend it to anyone. If you are looking for facts and information about depression this is not the story for you. This is just a fictional story that really makes you think about what our society could turn into.

Find it at Barnes & Noble

Goodricke Week #2

                                       Positions Album Ranked

    For a few months now, I have been obsessed with Ariana Grande. This is due to my friend, Michael Brougham, introducing me and encouraging me to listen to her work. First, I started out listening to her most recent album named Positions and fell in love with a lot of the songs. Michael gave me the task of ranking the songs based on how much I liked them. It was a little difficult, but I was interested in this task. I was going to take this as seriously as I could. Over the next few days, I listened to the album and got a feel for all of the songs. Before Michael encouraged me to listen to her, I was a little apprehensive. I had the preconceived notion that all of Ariana Grande's songs sounded the same and the lyrics weren't great and a little lazy. Though this does stand true to a few of her songs throughout her entire almost decade long career, I thoroughly enjoyed each song in the Positions album.

    I had a few criteria for ranking these songs. I had to split the 10 point value among 5 categories worth 2 points each. The categories were: lyrics, overall vibe, vocals, place in the album (if it made sense where it was), and repeat worthy. I wasn't just going to give the songs either a 0, 1, or 2, I was going to use decimal points as well because I knew that it was going to be hard choosing a number one spot. 

    1. my hair: I think this song is sooo good. It scored full points on vocals, overall vibe, place in the album, and repeat worthy. Her whistle tones are just incredible at the end. It only got like 0.3 of a point off from lyrics just because it wasn't perfect but it was so good. The overall vibe was just so addicting to listen to. It's the perfect song to drive and vibe to. I can't say enough good things about this song. Also, her hair is a very large part of who she is and her past, so this song just made sense as my number one spot.

    2. off the table: This song is just so well made. I love the fact that The Weekend has a feature in this because a few years ago she made Love Me Harder with him, so this was a great throwback and almost like an update to that. I thought it was cool that they referenced it in the song a few times. I think they sound so good together at the end. Ariana, as always, kills it on the vocals and just sounds so incredible throughout the whole song. Lyrically, I think this is the best song on the album. The song itself is about not being ready to jump right back into love if the person you want isn't available in some way. Any song I listen to that I can relate to in some way gets automatic bonus points. 

    3. 34+35: Okay, so yes this song is not appropriate, but I think that's why I like it so much. Throughout her career, Ariana has played it a bit safe in terms of the content of her lyrics, until now. She said that this song was almost like the last decision to add to the album because of the quality of the lyrics. She also said it was comedic relief. I think this was a great decision. The lyrics are really clever and the song itself is really catchy.

    4. pov: One of the biggest things that makes a song not enjoyable to me is if it's overplayed on the radio. This song is such an exception. I really like this song. Her vocals are so good, and the lyrics are so relatable and impressive. The bridge is my favorite lyrically. I highly recommend this song.

    5. nasty: Wow okay the beginning of this song with the whistle tones is so good omg. I think the lyrics are really good, but it's not anything extremely special or brilliant. The vibe is so so fun and enjoyable. It makes you feel really powerful and have a great time. I really like this song.

    6. safety net: I didn't like this song originally, but it's one of those songs that gets so much better the more you listen to it. The harmonies in the pre-chorus with Ty Dolla Sign are just so good. The overall vibe of the song is really cool. It's sad, but you can also bop your head to it. The lyrics are really good and kind of share the theme with off the table. It's about not being sure about falling in love again and just doubting the overall process. This is a very relatable song for me at this point in my life.

    7. west side: Okay, we have reached halfway. From here on, I do enjoy these songs, but not quite as much as the above ones. I really love the vibe. It's a great head bop song. The harmony and vocals in the chorus are so good and I find myself humming it very often. I think it's pretty strong lyrically and vocally. The beat and sound of the background music are sooo cool. 

    8. positions: I think this song is really fun. The lyrics are good, not great. It's one of those songs that are played a lot on the radio, and you kinda get sick of it after a while. Her vocals are really good, and the whistle tones she added to the end are so good. 

    9. just like magic: I really like the vibe of this song. It's also a really good driving song. Vocally, it's pretty good. This song is lyrically not very strong. I think the vibe of this makes up for the lack of quality in the lyrics. Michael is gonna be mad at me for the placement of this song, but I have to be honest.

    10. motive: I think this song is good until doja cat comes in. In my opinion, she just ruins the song. The vibe is pretty good, but it's not my favorite lyrically or vocally. 

    11. shut up: I honestly find this song a little annoying. The chorus specifically just bothers me. Vocally it sounds cool, but I really don't like the lyrics. 

    12. obvious: This song is just blah to me. The lyrics are pretty lazy and I don't really like the vocals. When you have so much better songs like any of the top 7, this song just doesn't amount to them.

    13. love language: I really don't like this one. The vocals aren't great and the lyrics don't really make much sense. I don't like the beat nor the sound of the music. 

    14. six-thirty: The only good part of this song is the progression of her voice on the last part of her voice. Otherwise, this song is so lazy and I think could have been omitted entirely from the album with no issue. 

positions by Ariana Grande

Olson Week #2

 The Shocking Probability of Existence

    1 in 1x10^2,685,000. Looking at it purely scientifically, that is the probability of you existing. Those are the chances of your parents meeting and reproducing, your parent's parents meeting a reproducing and so on all the way until the beginning of life. The chances of the Earth forming and life progressing to you. 10 followed by 2,685,000 zeros. This number was determined by a mathematician way smarter than me. I won't go into all the juicy mathematics, but you can find them in the article I got this number from. Of course this number isn't definite. There are other factors to consider like divine placement and all of that stuff, but purely scientifically the odds are 1 in 1x10^2,685,000. When I first saw this number I was terrified. I didn't know why but I was terrified by that number. After thinking about it, I know why I was terrified.

    According to that number, I really shouldn't be here. It is such an astronomical impossibility that it made me think about how close I came to not existing. I was likely to just be nothing. No conscience. No thoughts. No opinions. No dreams. Just, nothing. It would have just been similar to before I was born. What was it like before I was born for me? Nothing. According to that number, I was very likely to remain nothing, but here I am. After thinking these thoughts I had the usual what is the meaning of it all questions floating around, but now not so much. I have come to accept that I was likely to not exist, but here I am. If anything, it motivated me.

    I have a very unlikely shot at life, I might as well make the best of it. Make friends, go on adventures, watch TV, make a difference on the people you meet, use your chance at life to its fullest potential. I exist, the number worked out it my favor and there is no changing that. Time to live.

Cuevas Week 2

The Instrument Fair

    When I was in 3rd grade, my mom took me to an ‘instrument fair’ at my school. I went to Stroudsburg at the time, and they had encouraged all students to be a part of their music program. So there I was, walking around that circular cafeteria, ready to pick out an instrument to play. What immediately caught my eye was the large, wooden, pear-shaped instrument I would soon learn was called the cello, and let’s just say it was love at first sight. I instantly ran up to it, examined its beautiful craftsmanship, and begged the teacher in charge to let me try it. Now, mind you, I was standing probably 3 or 4 feet tall at the time, and if any of you have ever seen a cello you know it isn't a small instrument. Judging by my height, that teacher was not compelled to let me try it, and judging by my clumsiness, neither was my mother. But the second I finally got them to let me sit down with it, I knew I needed to learn how to play it.

So, they set me up with a cello teacher named Mr. Flatley, and I started learning how to read music. In the late 4th grade, my family moved to Nazareth, and I had to leave the Stroudsburg Music Department behind. Looking back, that was a good thing. Not just because Mr. Flatley was arrested for the statutory rape of his ‘assistant’ (that's a story for a different day…), but because the Nazareth Music Department, specifically my orchestra teacher Mrs. Sabol has given me the greatest music education I could ask for.

Over the years, I've continued practicing and growing my skills with the cello. I've enjoyed every song and every concert, every classical piece to every pop piece. I have especially enjoyed growing into my cello. From playing at a ¼ sized cello to finally growing into a full size, I have grown so much and watched my instrument grow with me. This April, I will finally be a cello owner- not just a renter. I can thank my amazing, supportive grandmother for that. I feel so lucky to have this connection to music and to play an instrument I love. So here's the moral of the story folks. If you want to do something- do it. As a mural in the hallway of our school (created by my talented friend Samantha Jordan) says, “do something today that you will thank yourself for tomorrow.” I’m extremely thankful I chose the cello that day in the cafeteria. I am thankful I didn’t let my small stature stop me from doing something I wanted to do. And neither should you! Don’t let anyone put you in a box, or let anyone's impressions of what you should do influence your choices. Whether that be what instrument you play or how you want to live your life, choose what you want to do. Play your own metaphorical cello. Thank yourself later.

Me playing at a Phantoms game two years ago! Go Phantoms :)

Buezo Week 2 Post

                                                               The Past of My Furry Friend

        Exactly a year ago, wrestling season, mock trial season, the start of COVID, life felt bizarre at that time. I was missing so many events that were so important to me. I just wanted to feel fine again.  I remember being so sick all of January with a really bad respiratory infection, I was so sick, I had a fever for weeks upon weeks. I missed so many mock trial practices, I missed out on my favorite matches. I felt as if I couldn't control anything going on around me. I was piled on with stress. After countless hours of trying to catch up on school, I finally went to bed after being physically and mentally drained. The next morning at 9:00am my dad came into my room to let me know my dog had passed away. I refused to believe it. I was in shock. With everything going on at that time and my health being at an all-time low, that was the last thing I wanted to hear. I sat in my bed for hours, which felt like somber days. I finally had the courage to walk down, and see his cold, lifeless body downstairs. It was completely unreal to me that his twinkling eyes and his warm snuggly body were just lifeless when less than 12 hours they were so vibrant and lively. 

     The reason why his death took such a toll on my life is that he was there for every big moment in life. I  remember when I was just a young girl we picked him out from the shelter. He was the quietest dog there and the most fluffy one too. His fur was as puffy as the clouds on a beautiful summer day. His eyes begged for attention and love. We knew he was the one. From that day on he was my family's beloved dog. He grew up to see me graduate from pre-school. He was there when I first started riding my bike, he was there when I first started high school, and he made it to sophomore year. His presence always made me smile. It breaks my heart to see all my friends with their dogs and I miss my dog so dearly. I miss when I had stressful days and he just made me feel so relieved. I especially miss having my dog come to me with all of his love and his snuggly little self. He lived a wonderful 15 years. He was loved beyond words. Yes, a full year has passed but my love will always be there for my precious dog. He was so special to me and my family. I miss him every day, I hope he knows he will never be replaced. 

Regan Week 2

Living in the Moment

     Since I have returned back to school, I feel like life has been going very fast compared to when we were in quarantine. With school assignments, clubs, sports, I feel like I never have time to sit down and appreciate the stage of life I am in, even on a day to day basis. Teenage years should be one of the best times of our life. Like many other teens, I find myself getting overwhelmed with school assignments, other responsibilities, and the future. I work myself up, and then my whole day is ruined. However, when I find myself in special and rare moments, I always try my best to forget about everything else going on and to just be present in the moment. 

    There is one specific memory I have of really making an effort to live in the moment: cheering at the District XI Football Championship game this past fall. I remember that Friday I had many school assignments due. I got most of them done, but I still had one more thing to do. I ran out of time before the game to complete it (poor time management on my part). I usually get very stressed and anxious if I am cutting close to the time an assignment was due, but I told myself to just enjoy the game and not let it ruin my night. Once the game started, I let myself really take in where I was. The team ended up winning, and it was truly one of the best nights of my life. I vividly remember pausing while celebrating, and just letting it all sink in. 

    As I look back on that night, I thank myself for not stressing over a school assignment. I would have missed out on a memorable night with my teammates if I would have disconnected from everyone. That night was one of the first times I truly let myself go and didn't worry about anything. I think as young adults we need to be conscious of the fact that we have responsibilities, but we also need to be able to let ourselves enjoy rare moments in our life. I am not going to remember anything about that assignment, but the game is a memory I will have forever. 

Here is the football players and the cheerleaders after the team defeated Freedom in the District XI 6A Football Championship.

Leszcynski: Week 2

                                                                            My Happy Place

Everyone has one place or person or thing that can never fail to make them happy. Whether it be after a bad day or after a bad event, there is usually something that everyone can count on. Sometimes for people, it may be their best friend or it might be watching the sunset. For me, it is the game of basketball. 

I began playing basketball when I was in second grade and since then, it has been my “rock.” The game has become a form of therapy for me. I know that it will always be there for me. After some of my worst days, I have put a ball in my hand and went out and played and it somehow makes me forget everything that is going on in my life.  It has also helped me through some of the toughest times. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the game. 

Not only is the game a form of therapy for me, but it also is a place where I have created some of my strongest friendships and made some amazing memories. At the start of middle school basketball tryouts, I met my two best friends, Talya and Kathryn. We all had ended up making the Freshman team and we have been best friends ever since. We have been playing on the same team for the past 5 years and they have been some of my favorite times. 

It also has helped me to make some of my best memories. For example, last season, my basketball team won the District XI championship. We were having the best times of our life playing together. This feeling will never be replaceable. This was such a fun night with my best friends that I will always remember it for the rest of my life. 

I never would have thought when I started playing basketball 9 years ago that the game would mean so much to me. Now that it means so much to me, I can’t imagine my life without it. I am beyond blessed to be able to play this game and all that it has done for me. 

Me warming up before a Basketball Game

Rodrigues Week II

Samuel M. Rodrigues                                    AP Language                                            12 January 2021

Tu parles français?

    Could you imagine living anywhere else than Nazareth, Pennsylvania? Truly, could you? Could you learn and fully understand a foreign tongue, appreciate an unknown culture, and become accustomed to living elsewhere? Would you be willing to leave your friends and family behind? These are the questions I ask myself. Rather, the questions I have been asking myself almost obsessively for months now. Inevitably, I will have to confront the source of these pressing questions, but for now, I anxiously wait.

    A few months ago, my father prefaced a question that took me by surprise -to say the least. Having been searching for an opportunity like this for years, I was excited. It was an opportunity to get away. Not out of distaste for the place I called home, but rather, out of a sense of exploration and a possibility mindset. The question my father asked me was, "Would you be willing to move to France?" Kind of bombshell right? My immediate response to the question was yes, but now, in a situation where it will actually happen, I'm not entirely sure if I'm wholeheartedly on board. 

    My father continued to ask me this question -and others like it. Each time I met these questions with excitement and full-fledged support. About a month after these exchanges began, I came home to big news: my father had been selected for the position and had signed the contract. I don't think I truly understood the gravity of the situation at the time (I still don't think I do), but I've begun to anxiously wait for the day when many things in my life will disappear. Soon enough, I will no longer see familiar faces. Instead, I will be a stranger immersed in an unfamiliar world. 

    I think the saying "only hate the road when you're missing home" is surprisingly relatable. Everything around me that I currently take for granted will be gone and I am nervous and anxious to see how things will play out. Encountering loss and missing my current life is inevitable, yet I feel as though there is another side to this story. I deeply feel like this experience will broaden my horizons in unimaginable ways and prove highly beneficial for my future. I think I will learn to absolutely love the culture, and make friends and memories to last a lifetime. 

    Now, I left out some details from the blurb above, so I will try to cover anything specific I missed. In July of 2021, my family and I will be moving to the city of Aix en Provence in the South of France. My dad will be working at a pet supply company know as Royal Canin owned by his current company Mars Inc. I will also be attending a private international high school for an extra year (for a total of two years) in order to receive my International Baccalaureate degree or IB. 

The picturesque lavender fields of Aix en Provence.

My dad's new company.

   

Hunter Week 2

May The Memories Remain

Have you ever fallen in love with a place? I have. Something about spending the summer among the mosquito-filled forests neath the Pennsylvania sky has completely enchanted me. The smiles, sunsets, 3 am stargazes, and life-changing conversations shared amid those woods control every ounce of my being. The camp gate creates a barrier between the chaos of the real world (as well as the cell reception) and the peaceful woodland. I disconnect for months; it is magnificent. At just two years old, I began my Deer Valley YMCA Camp endeavors (with my family of course) and became known as “Sweet Caroline” along with “Caroliney-Moon.” I have gone every summer since then, and I will do so for the rest of my life. 

Despite being a Pittsburgh YMCA camp, people travel from all over the country to experience the magic of this place. I have been so lucky to have been able to grow up beside the most genuine souls on Earth. I am only there for a few weeks, so the rest of the year is spent eagerly waiting to be reunited with my home. Nevertheless, more memories and stronger relationships have been created within that short time than have been with people who I live three minutes from.

Every day, I long to hear tone-deaf campers join together to sing all seven minutes of “Hotel California." I long to sit on the dock with my best friends, Molly and Jenna, as we watch Mother Earth gracefully paint on her canvas with various pinks, blues, and oranges. I long to get caught in a thunderstorm miles away from any escape, and then begin to slow dance in the rain with my sweet Jeremy. My dreamlike experiences feel as if they have been drawn straight from a movie. 

I carry this collection of perfect moments everywhere I go with hopes that I can spread the unconditional kindness and gentleness camp has given me. Last summer, our hugs became virtual and our deep conversations became handwritten letters. “Sweet Caroline," they call me, and “Sweet Caroline” they now sing through facetime. Regardless, the memories remain. I wish you too can find a haven that is as centered in love as I have.

I leave you with lyrics from the camp song: “Many years and miles may come between us, but there's a memory of the time that never ends. As the days drift slowly by, below the Pennsylvania sky, I’m singing at Deer Valley with my friends.”

A photo in front of the lake with Molly and Jenna, my soulmates
and fellow sunset chasers. <3

Wonderful friends on the last night of

camp (before we began to sob).

My 3-year-old self eating Cheerios on the dock!

Falzone M. Week 2 When History Dies

 When History Dies

    The relationship between a child and a grandparent is an incredibly special bond. There seems to be nothing short of spending time with grandparents that can quench a child’s desire for learning, playing, and love all in one sitting. Your grandparents are a key to a past that you do not know and may never learn to understand. This is why it is important that you give your grandparents time to tell their stories about their childhood and growing up in a time very different from today. I encourage you to not take for granted this time because I wish I had not.
    When my grandfather passed away this past fall, my only regret was never really learning about his life during the Great Depression, his first jobs, and the places he got to visit way before I or my father was born. I felt the crushing weight of never knowing what my great-grandmother was like or even the names of our distant relatives in Sicily. Old Sicilian Italian was the language that my grandfather was familiar with and the different phrases he said to us never seemed important to me until I realized I would never hear them again. I tried desperately to find the correct spelling and meaning for one of my favorite things he would say to me, but to no avail. This language along with his path in America had died with him. I cried when he died, mourning the loss of not just him but a history that was so rich and unimaginable to the average person. I remember my dad sitting next to my grandfather’s hospital bed, trying to encourage him to share one last story with me, but in his weakened state he no longer had the desire to share. I was broken-hearted for a while and kicked myself for my negligence. I had put off these deep conversations and tuned out of them even when they were happening. I had not taken notes and really committed to memory all of the knowledge that he spouted. I was convinced I was the worst grandchild in the world until I realized that moping would not change the outcome. I decided to do with my other grandparents what I wish I could have done with him. I asked questions, listened closely to answers, and took advantage of all of the knowledge they had acquired over time.
    My relationship with my grandfather and grandmother who are still with me is so strong and I am grateful to be learning so much about them. I do not think there will ever be a time where I will not think about my grandfather’s death and feel a twinge of guilt, but I have used these emotions to change as a person. I no longer take for granted the time that I have with my grandparents who are still alive and I have learned so much because of this. I feel that I need to be the generation that remembers because I want to be able to keep their legacy alive way after their time on earth.

Reverend Joseph Falzone "Grampy"
December 24, 1931- September 18, 2020

Ricci week #2

                                                                 The most remote civilizations 

The other day I discovered an article talking about the most remote human civilizations. It was not what I had expected, however it was still worth the read. I’ve never really thought much about what life is like when you’re not surrounded by other people. All of the locations they talked about in the article have a population of less than 500 people, with the lowest being a year round population of 5. 

Alert is a village located at the top of the Nunavut territory in Canada. The temperatures here reach a low of negative 40, and with it being located so close to the north pole, they experience 24-hour darkness in the winter and light in the summer. Ittoqqortoormiit is another desolate village which is located in Greenland. It is home to only 500 residents, which is not surprising. It is challenging to access the village since it is surrounded by water, which is frozen due to the below zero temperatures. Even air travel is rare here since there is only one airport with little to no flights. 

The location that I found most interesting was Tristan da Cunha. This is a small island that is thought to be the most remote civilization in the world. The only way to get to the island is by boat. The nearest locations are South Africa and South America, which are almost 2,000 miles away. Flying here is impossible due to the rugged terrain. It is a very desolate island, with everyone who lives on Tristan da Cunha working as either a craftsman or a farmer. Now with that being said, they do have television and working internet. 

    I definitely found it interesting to read about all of these places, and it does sound like a unique and enjoyable lifestyle for some. However, I do not think I would be able to spend my life in such remote locations. 

    

                                            

                                                    This is a photo of Tristan da Cunha from the article

https://allthatsinteresting.com/remote-places

 **This is the link to the article, The six most remote places in human civilization**

Falzone H. Week #2 Much Needed News

                                                                Much Needed News (2021)

    2021 was supposed to be an erase button for 2020. Not an erase and forget about the atrocities we have endured, but an erase and a redraw, where the new year could potentially have some better outcomes and vibes. These expectations are pretty high but honestly, the bar is very low. All we are asking for is maybe not the countrywide wildfires, lack of mask use, and the ignoring of obvious climate change figures drawn up by our government. However, my 2021 has simply been a continuation of the atrocities that began in 2020. Like the 100th Old Town Road remix, 2021 is the exhausted, unnecessary remix of 2020. With photos of sick and distressed polar bears being threatened by the new oil drilling in the Arctic and the gloomy photos of the Capitol being stormed showing up on my timeline, all I see is a 2.0 version of last year. However, I am here to offer a needed “pick me up” by sharing some events to look forward to in 2021, that may restore your faith in this year. 

1. A new NASA intelligence rover will touch down on Mars in February. (Oh how nice it would be just to leave Earth and start over somewhere new.) It is called the Perseverance Rover and will be scanning Mars looking for signs of ancient life and bringing back rocks, pebbles, and dirt. You can visit the online website, read about its fascinating journey thus far, and tune in on February 18 to watch the Rover touch down on the Red Planet. 

2. The next bit of excitement comes from the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics to July 2021. We can look forward to indulging in some amazing gymnastic performances, swimming, and basketball games while cheering on Team USA. 

3. The 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World will be celebrated on October 1st of 2021. This marks half a century of putting smiles on children’s faces, (and selling overpriced water), but the fun Mickey ear straws make it worth it! In celebration, Disney will be putting on the largest nighttime spectacular ever at Disney’s EPCOT. 

4. This year should be a great year for climate change. With the United Nations Climate Change Summit scheduled for this November, some big players like China are looking to make pledges to cut emissions and finally start acting on this imminent threat. To do your part in helping the climate, make sure to sign petitions, and be active and educated. We all have to act in order to make a change!

5. The last piece of exciting news is the Queen of England is turning 95. She will be the first British monarch to reach this applause-worthy age and a new 5-pound coin will be released to commemorate her birthday. These coins are set to be released later in 2021!

    Hopefully, you read one or two things that made you smile and began to help restore your faith in this year. Here's to 2021!

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55525006

the snazzy 5-pound coin

Kryemadhi: Week 2

 Pronouncing My Last Name

    Kryemadhi. One word with thousands of stories behind it. Over the years, almost everyone- teacher, peer, family-friend has asked me, “How do you say your last name?” And for many years, I dreaded having to help them understand the pronunciation. But, the summer before high school changed my outlook on this entire ordeal.

    My parents are immigrants, born and raised in Albania. They moved to the United States in their early 20s, and, soon after, they had me. With that all being said, practically our entire family was still overseas, and considering everyone wanted to meet the first Kryemadhi child, to Albania we went. I was only about 7 months that time; we went again when I was 3 and once more when I was 7. But, those memories didn’t really last. All I could recall was seeing some random barracks and mountain goats. That wasn’t exactly the best impression to hold on to.

    In August of 2018, my family visited Albania for over two weeks, and it was an amazing experience. We spent our two weeks driving up and down the country (which is only about the size of New Jersey). We visited Peqin, a super old town where my mom is from. From there, we drove to Tirana, which is the state capital. It’s nothing like the big cities we imagine, but that doesn’t make it any less special. It is filled with countless apartments, boutiques, and of course many bakeries (Albanians are big foodies). 

    Our next destination was Peshkopi, where my dad grew up. The drive there was absolutely incredible. This town was in the midst of the mountains, so as we drove, the views were spectacular. It was so peaceful- just us, the mountains, and of course the random goats. While we visited my dad’s family, my cousin took us to an icecream parlor with her friends, and we had a great time. I know you are probably thinking, “What’s so special about an icecream parlor?” And I will tell you, absolutely nothing, but at the same time, everything. It was just a regular icecream shop, but speaking a foreign language and spending time with foreigners made all the difference, and that’s part of what made it such a unique experience. 

    One more of the many places we visited was Sarande. Besides the mountains, this was probably my favorite part of the trip. We spent about 4 days at the beach with my aunt and her family. Though we rented an AirBnB, we were almost never in it considering we were constantly at the beach. Think about the clear Caribbean water. That’s what the beaches looked in Albania, and it blew my mind. My parents always said the beaches were beautiful, but I didn’t expect that. I spent the beach days laughing and having a great time with my family.

    I told you all about this amazing trip, but what was the point? The point is that this trip was an eye-opener. I got see where my family was from, meet countless inspiring people, and eat tons of great food. It taught me to be proud of my last name, the story behind it, and the country and people it comes from. From now on, I will be happy to teach people how to pronounce my last name.

A collage of pictures from the trip including the plane, beach, mountains,and lots of family.

The view from our balcony at the beach one night. By far one of the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen.

Sheka: Week 2

 On the College Process

Recently, I turned seventeen years old. Being a year closer to graduating has gotten me to reflect on the college process, and the absolutely ridiculous amount of hoops I need to jump through in order to get into the college of my choice.

I’ve started narrowing my college list down to a few schools, which has been an intense process. I have to weigh my options and decide what matters to me the most. Even for someone like me, who has known where they wanted to go to college since they were eight, it’s just been incredibly stressful. I thought that it would be simple: I take my SATs, write my essay, go to an interview, fill out an application, and hope for the best. How wrong I was. 

For starters, half of the colleges on my list, including my dream school, require that I take the SAT Essay. For those of you that don’t know, the essay is the same every time: they ask you to read a well-written argument, then rhetorically analyze it. Sounds familiar? At least by the second time I take it, I should have ample practice writing that style of essay. It should hopefully put me ahead of the curve, but I detest that I have to write another essay to show my worth. 

Another thing that I have to do are these SAT Subject Tests. I’m going to be honest, up until this year, I had no idea that they existed. When I read about them, they looked like a much easier version of an AP test, which irritates me to no end. If I already took an AP exam, why do I need to take another test showing my mastery over a subject? If I got a ‘5’ on my AP US History exam, or a ‘4’ on my AP Calculus exam, couldn’t we just call it a day and say that I met the requirements? It’s not even that I have to study more, the hassle of signing up for extra tests and taking them just feels redundant and tiring. 

All that being said, taking a bunch of tests isn’t my least favourite thing about the college process. No, that distinction belongs to the so-called “resume-building” activities. I know that colleges want well-rounded students, but let’s be honest. The fact that colleges are using extracurriculars as a way to distinguish between applicants is ridiculous. I want to get into an accelerated pre-medicine program; why should the colleges I’m applying to care about what sports I do, or what clubs I joined? The worst part is that I genuinely like my extracurriculars, but now they feel like a chore. I have to succeed at them, otherwise I won't get into my dream school.

I am so tired, and I haven't even begun to apply. I hate this dog-and-pony show, and I'm worried that it's only going to get worse over the next year.