Category: fall

Halloween

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Photo Credit: Drafthouse

As I prepare for my four-day weekend and Halloween, I think back to my favorite Halloween movies that I watched in elementary school, or even younger.

To this day I am not one for gruesome, gory Halloween films, but movies that resonate more with Hocus Pocus (AKA the best Halloween movie ever) rather than Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

What I’m saying is my Halloween is more Disney than AMC ( I’m looking at you The Walking Dead). But while some may be gearing up for Trick or Treating, going to Six Flags or Universal Studios to be scared senseless, or staying at home diving into a bowl of candy, Halloween, in my opinion, is a very retrospective holiday.

Whether it be looking back to all the things you did to celebrate years ago, getting the type of sugar rush that usually only seven-year olds are acceptable of getting, watching scary movies, or any other time-honored tradition.

But one thing I do know is that I won’t have to go to sleep tonight thinking that my dog coming up the stairs is actually a serial killer.

Warm Winters

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From my experience, California winters are nothing like actual winters.  With highs of 100 degrees and lows of 70 degrees, this weather resembles summer more than anything other season.

I’m from the Pacific Northwest, and it’s pretty chilly. Around this time of the year I’m usually prepared for cold weather, and lots and lots of rain.

Here, despite the fact that Halloween is right around the corner, I can wear tank tops to school every day. Instead of suiting up in my rain jacket and closed-toed shoes, I find myself wearing shorts and sandals. 

I don’t dislike the weather – it’s really pretty, and let’s be real. I can go to the beach in October! But as far as winter goes, it just doesn’t feel like one.

Photo Credit: http://www.californiatravel.eu

To me, winter means cozying up in sweaters and blankets, and being able to lay inside and listen to the rain. Winter is the cold wind on your face when you step outside, both chilling and refreshing at the same time.

Photo Credit: fcdn.mtbr.com

And while I love the sun and warm weather, I’d like to save it for the summer. It’s just where it fits in! I look forward to cold weather, and the feeling of winter – and that just doesn’t happen in California!

SAT SCORES OH NO

mushuoo
Photo Credit:http://hyperionlearning.me/

After years of mentally preparing myself to endure the most mentally draining four-hours of my high school career, I have just completed taking a second SAT test.

I have so many thoughts about this tedious task that every high school student in the United States is required to do.

I think it is ridiculous that a standardized test score can determine a student’s future. A good student with a high GPA and a lot of extra curricular activities can get an average score solely because they might not be the best test taker, but that one test score has a large weight on which colleges accept them.

I do not fully understand why standardized tests have become a way of determining students academic careers for such a long time, or why they have become of such a high priority. Although most colleges look at students holistically, California State schools consider students purely on GPA and standardized test scores.

However, I understand the reasoning behind standardized testing; giving students a chance to show the general academic knowledge they have accumulated in high school.

But why does a test have to be the only thing that proves a student has gained knowledge? Why is it that the pressure to get a high-test score can consume a student’s conscience for months so that they focus all of their time studying for one generalized, tricky test?

I know, because it consumed me.

October

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Photo Credit: blogspot.com

It’s finally October – so whip out those Halloween decorations and a copious amounts of candy corn.

Every year when October comes around, I get really excited, like way too excited, because it is the beginning of fall and it means Halloween is not far away.

My current neighborhood, filled with rich retired elderly couples treating Halloween like any old day, and to be honest, it’s dreadful.

I used to live on a block where Halloween was the most important holiday. They used to put their decorations up right when the first leaf fell from the trees, and the fresh smell of pumpkin wafted through the air.

Every house had a jack-o-lantern in the window and a styrofoam cemetery on their front lawns coated with bright golden leaves. October, in my eyes, is one of the best months out of the year.

Halloween is magical, but the sounds and views around you on an everyday basis are what makes October truly great.

The sound of crunching leaves on the sidewalk, the turning colors on the trees, the burning of fall time candles, and let’s not forget pumpkin spice everything.

Ok, I know that anything pumpkin spice is basically all sugar with the tiniest amount of real pumpkin, if it has any pumpkin at all, but it transports your mouth to fall wonderland.

Photo Credit: tumblr.com

 

On top of all that, is the introduction of fall fashion. Along with October comes chunky sweaters, boots, and cute beanies.

Seriously, sweaters are like socially acceptable pajamas, and beanies can save a bad hair day.

So take advantage of October. This is the month to curl up in huge blankets, drinking a pumpkin spice latte if you wish, and watch all the Halloween classics.

Camping Chaos

mushuoo
Photo Credit: captainstewbaycruise.com

After an incredible summer, I’m back and ready for my senior year.

Coming back to school felt so sudden, especially when I heard the news that there was a mandatory all-school camping trip on the second week of school.

Uh oh.

I give credit to my editor and friend, Kendall Shiffman, for this quote that is oh so accurate: “I’m just a happy camper who hates camping.”

The thought of being consistently dirty for five days makes me cringe, but the decision was already made that I had to go.

On the drive up to Moñtana De Oro, I became warmed up to the idea of camping, and as soon as we arrived I was suddenly overwhelmed with excitement.

The environment was incredibly green, cold, and lush. Camping instantly seemed less terrifying.

As the trip went on, I ventured far out of my comfort zone. I never would have imagined having fun was a possibility on a mandatory camping trip, but that’s exactly what happened.

This camping trip truly taught me one thing: I feel more open-minded about life than I ever have before.

No Chill

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Although I knew California was hot, by choosing to go to school here I didn’t think I signed up for a 75 degree November.

Already insanely hot during the summer months, I was looking forward to it cooling down leading up to the holidays. Oh, how wrong I was.

As of right now, the high for this week is 77 degrees. In November! I don’t mind this weather, it’s actually very nice. But, it’s comforting in a spring sense. Not for leading into Thanksgiving!

At home, the high for this week is a warm 50 degrees and raining. Although I’m sure it’s miserable to live in 24/7, it sounds wonderful to spend at least a day in!

Photo Credit: wyckoffcomfort.com

I love shorts as much as the next person, but coming from the cold weather, I look forward to the temperature where it’s appropriate to wear sweaters.

When it’s cold out, mother nature creates a true wintery feeling, which is amazing to spend time in.

Trudging Along

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However enjoyable Ojai Valley School is, by the time a break rolls around, I am more than ready for some time off. The longest stretch is from the start of school to Thanksgiving break, and with that break in a week, I’ve almost made it through.

At the beginning of the year, I’m filled with motivation, and I’m sure that I’ll make it through the year easily. However, at this time of the year, I’m dragging along, barely getting my work done.

It’s not just me though, which is why a break is much-needed. Teachers have been piling on the work lately, so students are overwhelmed, and aren’t doing as well. Luckily, if we make it through this last week, we will have reached the reward.

Although Thanksgiving break is only a week, it will be rejuvenating. I’m grateful that I get to go home and see my friends, as well as sleep in my own bed. Short and sweet, and I’m looking forward to it.

Photo Credit: http://www.harriswholehealth.com

 

School Dances and Ghostly Trances

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At OVS, Halloween is celebrated in a unique way. Although boarders don’t necessarily go trick or treating, through the Halloween dance and spirit days, festive spirit is present.

Photo Credit: staticflickr.com

Day students are able to go home and celebrate Halloween in a more standard way, whereas boarding students get to spend their time at school. At the dance, people dress up and show off their costumes. On the day of Halloween, costumes can be worn to school.

On the other hand, boarders spend Halloween night in the dorms. That can be fun, spending the night binging on scary movies and eating a ton of candy. However, there’s something special about being outside on Halloween night, with spine-tingling stories being told and that spooky feeling in the air.

It’s not really explainable, but all those stories about witches and goblins, haunted houses and the curses that come along with them – it all seems so real on October 31st. Maybe it’s just me, but on that one night, the air seems like it’s buzzing with ghostly presences, just waiting to be discovered.

An Abundance of Autumn

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However it is celebrated, autumn is a season to rejoice – the weather becomes colder and Halloween is just around the corner.

Although some don’t love the cold, to most it means oversized sweaters, and relaxing in the fresh air. California’s hot weather is nice for a while, but by the time fall rolls around, many are grateful for the change.

The smell of leaves changing is an important aspect of autumn – it embodies the season perfectly. Here, there aren’t enough trees to jump into leaf piles, but it’s nice nonetheless.

By the time fall comes along, Halloween is in the near future, and is already highly anticipated. Whether that means preparing a costume, or just enjoying all the spirit, Halloween is an exciting Holiday.

Not only is autumn important on its own, but it is the gateway into the winter holidays, which leads to an abundance of spirit. As a whole, fall is a wonderful season, filled with many great features.

Photo Credit: http://www.get-frenched.com

The Best Season of All

kennyroo

Fall is here – the long-awaited arrival of the turning of the trees is finally here!

Fall holds a large place in my heart. Not only is it my birthday season, but it’s the start of club volleyball season, and it has the best weather.

While you may think that these three months of cool weather and warm sweaters aren’t a huge deal, they are to me. Living in a place like Ojai, and having dry heat most of the time, a cool spree is ever so refreshing.

I find that in these months people are in a much better mood, and have a certain buzz coming off of them. Perhaps it is because we are near the beginning of holiday season. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but this season is surely magical.

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Photo Credit to: http://www.naturepictures.co/