Piano’s Expressionism

StrawberryMushroomLeave a comment

Music, like most forms of art, is created through the channeling of a person or persons’ passion, expressing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences by encapsulating them in a tangible piece of work. Likewise, when listening to music, I aim to understand the artist’s thought process—what they were feeling and what they want to say—rather than simply consuming. However, instrumentals are unable to convey the artist’s message verbally and directly, thus requiring communication through subtlety and nuance.

This is where I believe the piano excels.

While there are exceptions, a majority of instruments are typically limited in the vibe and tone they can evoke in listeners. However, the piano is versatile in its style, being able to complement and enhance all genres of music. Depending on how it’s played, a piano can sound grand or melancholic. Furthermore—due to the piano’s wide range—a single pianist is capable of playing the melody and harmony simultaneously, being able to harness complete emotional depth all on its own.

Redemessia - spiral piano by Cersatti Art Wall Art

Picture Credit: Google

Kids’ Shows (With A Dark Turn)

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As a child, I used to watch shows. I’m sure we all used to, either it being PBS Kids, Disney, Nickelodeon, or Cartoon Network, or comics, or any media given to someone as a child. I grew up on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, mainly watching SpongeBob, Gravity Falls, or any other show streamed on the public networks.

I eventually grew out of it, but I still can’t stop watching a few shows meant for kids. That was until I got turned to Adult Swim, where I watch Smiling Friends, Superjail, Futurama, Moral Orel, and a few smalls here and there. Sure, all of these shows are equally messed up and dark, but they’re animated and not meant for kids.

The main reason I’m writing this blog is the second season of Fionna and Cake, the spin-off of Adventure Time, and its release. I remember watching all of Adventure Time in a single weekend, just so I could watch the spin-off’s release, which has more mature themes than its counterpart.

Since I had watched the first season and the first episode of season two, I rewatched all of season one. Again. For the third time overall. I noticed little things, but also the overall picture to how messed up Adventure Time actually was.

I’ll spare everyone spoilers. Despite the lengthy 10 seasons, I recommend watching if you like shows with Hella lore and well-written characters.

P.C. – Pinterest

November 1st

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I don’t think I’ve written more in my life than in the past few weeks. I had eight college deadlines on November 1st, and I decided to complete my work at the last minute. I just submitted half of my college applications, and I’m honestly done. I feel like the amount of work students do building up to applying to college is enough. Going through a tedious process of reviewing everything I’ve done with my life over the past eighteen years, with a word limit, feels impossible. I’m trying to manifest that I will get into lots of colleges, but I’m also not delusional. I missed one of the best weekends of the year, sick and doing college work, and I just hope that I get good karma from this. On top of all of this college work, I keep forgetting that I actually have school work, but that seems more like a tomorrow problem.

“Working Typing” by Bench Accounting/ CC0 1.0

Spring Soccer Season

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The spring soccer season just ended, and my team got first place. We went undefeated throughout the entire season, scoring 53 goals and conceding only 9 goals in 10 games. Every one of my teammates tried their best, and they never gave up. We did have some bad games, but even when we did, we still never gave up, and we either came out with a win or with a tie. Now that my team won, we go up a level for next season, and we’re going to be NPL. NPL is a big deal, especially for a Ventura team. Now that the league is over, we go on to the College Cup in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving break. But after that college cup, our team stops practicing, and we all go play for our high school teams. This win means a lot to us and our coach, and I’m excited to see how my team does next season. 

Finally Landed: Bishop Carroll culminates more than decade of final 4 finishes with 1st state championship, Golden Eagles earn 2-1 win over St. James Academy in 5A girls soccer final - Kansas

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Sharing Snacks

thehebrewhammerLeave a comment

Woke up this Wednesday and I had an orthodontist appointment, I knew today we had no sports, so why not treat myself and prepare a lunch with some snacks for myself. So I grabbed my retainer case and headed to pack my lunch. I first grabbed two bars because I know my friend Jay will want one, so I grabbed one for him. I opened to fridge for a wild surprise of a premade sandwich that I instantly put into my Trader Joe’s lunchbox. (Shoutout Ms. Ruby u da goat fr) I also grabbed my Burt’s Bees chapstick for my chapped lips. (Shoutout Ms. Ruby u da goat for getting me da chapstick 2 fr) Then, finally, I got a big ziplock bag and jammed it full of red grapes, cold, crunchy, tasty red grapes. Delicious.

I then finally got to school, and when my friends Nola, Savannah, Bennett, and Leia saw my lunchbox, they grew brimful with curiosity about the contents encapsulated in my lunch pail. I opened and their jaws dropped at the sight of a bag overflowing with red grapes, cold, crunchy, tasty red grapes. Delicious. So I shared some of them, and I shared my Chapstick with Nola.

My shorts are untied, and my shirt kind of has a collar but also doesn’t, it’s weird. I’m also wearing white socks and some fuzzy slides. I’m sitting next to Bennett, too. Eat some grapes if you read this.

Hammer out.

PC: Google

First Semester Senior Year

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Credit: Google

I can’t believe it —they were right; it really does creep up. I swear it was only like yesterday that I had been dreading coming back for the final time. The drive, as excited as I was to see my friends, signaled my first step to the end of my high school career. Back then, it seemed I had eternity before the second semester even approached my vicinity. That time would move as slowly as a snail trying to get from one side of the garden to the other. 

But as time seemed to pass me by these couple of months, I realized I’d kept myself busy enough not to notice the approach of the end. As I wrap up my final season of volleyball, I remember this is it. Next year, I will be off to college, and all these fantastic people I know will be spread out either across the US or even the world.  

It baffles me that not that long ago, it was summer and I was dreading the long wait until the second semester, but now the saying “time waits for no one” really has meaning. I want time to wait, so I can continue to enjoy these little moments I have with my friend. The moments where we do nothing and everything, and still find ways to end up on the floor laughing. To the point where my side hurts and I have to yell, “Shut up, it actually hurts,” only to continue. It’s those moments that have made the first semester so memorable and have made me melancholic about the second semester.

Vacation or School?

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This week I’m writing from Mexico. The crystal blue ocean, the coarse seashell-filled sand, and the clear scorching skies surround me. I’m missing a few days of school to take this vacation, which has really got me thinking. As I splashed in the waves and sipped down cold, icy drinks, I had a realization. Right now, I could be sitting in class, sipping on stale water from the cafeteria, writing an essay about a book I’ll forget I even read in about a year. Sadness drapes over me like the heat of the sun when I think about the stress I’ll soon have to return to. I don’t want to go back to the boring, cold, and monotonous life that school induces. I sit here in Mexico, doing the same schoolwork I would be doing in class, but instead I’m outside, enjoying myself. I envy homeschooled kids who can do this all year round. Travel, be outside, be free, but still learning. Many kids claim that being homeschooled isn’t ideal because it’s difficult to make friends, but I think I’d be fine if I joined a few clubs or sports. Anyways, I’m not homeschooled nor will I be. For now, I’ll just be content knowing I’m not sitting in class and I have freedom for a few more days. When I’m back at school and sucked back into the dreaded lifestyle of a high school senior, just know, I’ll be wishing I was back in Mexico.

Picture Credit- Google

Be Your Own Coach

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The other day, as I was scrolling on TikTok, I came across a girl’s page, and I watched her pinned videos. I instantly got blasted back to last year when I was doing the exact same thing, and her words changed my mindset. Last year was not the best for me mentally. I had a lot of stuff going on in my personal life, and it was interfering with my relationships and academics. I would drown myself in my school work so I wouldn’t have to think about my life. One of my ways of distracting myself would be to spend hours upon hours on TikTok. It was one of these hours that I saw that girl’s video.

The gist of it was to be your own coach. She said to imagine that you are a coach, that is your whole purpose in life, and the only reason you are put on Earth. As a coach, you are stuck with one human from their birth until their death. You get to put thoughts in their head, make them do stuff, etc. As a coach, you don’t want to insult your human and make them feel bad; you want them to fulfill their life the best way they want. You are the coach to yourself.

This completely changed the way I talked to myself. I was so used to comparing myself to others who I thought accomplished so much more than I did, I forgot my purpose in life. I went from putting tons of pressure on myself to letting myself relax. It took some time for this adjustment to be fully implemented in my life, but when it did, I was doing so much better. Why would I be mean to myself? It is my first time on Earth, just like everyone else. When times get rough, I try to be the best coach I can be. The TikToker might’ve thought her video was just some dumb TikTok, but it genuinely helped me get out of a hard time in my life. I am so thankful for her.

credit: Pinterest

Fall

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Fall is one of my favorite seasons. The weather is perfect. It’s cold in the mornings and sometimes carries throughout the day. There is occasional rain and wind. Fall isn’t just a season; fall comes with a vibe that no other season can bring. The crisp air, pumpkin patches, and pumpkin-flavored drinks are my favorites. Nature transforms from green and vibrant to red, orange, and yellow, and everything becomes cozy. Fall is great, but there are some things I don’t like. Losing an hour is not something I like. Also, everything is so dry because of how cold the air is. Along with that, my summer shade has gone away, and I am now white. My concealer is too orange for my face. Anyway, there are good and bad things about fall, but overall, the good outweighs the bad. I love how people act during the fall and the clothes that I get to where, and I can finally put a sweater on my dog.

Four Day Weekend

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This past weekend was a four-day weekend, meaning we had Friday and Monday off from school. I really needed this weekend, and I’m glad we had it. Since we have from the start of the school year up until thanksgiving break until we have any long breaks off, the weeks have been long. I always miss the weekend a little when school starts because it’s a nice break from using my brain. I have a feeling this week is gonna be hard to go back to because of our random 4 days off from school, even though it’s not that long, it’s still something. Every time school has some sort of time off, it’s frustrating to stay ahead in my classes because I don’t think about school or homework on breaks or weekends. This weekend gave me a chance to catch up with friends and not have to stress about my school situation, which brought me a better mood than usual. I felt more energized, and I got a lot done with the time I had free, and even though I did a lot this weekend, I still feel like I had enough time to relax as well. This weekend, I learned that I can’t let stress control my life, and I should be controlling it instead, and it made me realize not everything is a chore.

“Relaxed Man” by Bruce Mars/ CC0 1.0