Nation divided white and black.
Will the freedom ever come back?
One man rises and leads the way.
Confined to a room for thousands of days.
Spirit holds and so does resolve.
He emerges from chains standing tall.
Arguing and breaking down the destructive rule.
His people had suffered like diseased mules.
Cocoon broken he comes alive
He sees freedom for which he has always strived.
The fight over, it is time to rest.
His nation has not seen its final test.
This week we said goodbye to one of the most influential people of all time. Nelson Mandela, who fought to eliminate racism and the apartheid in South Africa has died.
For decades, Nelson struggled to tear down racial segregation and died as a hero.
Imprisoned by an oppressive regime for 27 years, Nelson Mandela was able to become South Africa‘s first black president.
Nelson was loved by all the people in South Africa and most of the world for fighting for equality.
So, thank you Nelson Mandela, for showing us to never stop fighting against oppression, you will be remembered.
I want to go to college right now. Like, right now.
So, I went on a college visit today. The college I went to is one of my top choices right now. It’s a Christian college, and campus is relatively small but people are very friendly and nice. I had a meeting with the track coach there, and met some of the runners. They are so friendly that they called me over and let me join the prayer before practice. There are some Olympians and nationally recognized runners there. I can totally imagine myself practicing with them and with the coach on their track. I can’t wait to run a bunch of meets and practice all year with my teammates and wear the same Nike team shirts and jackets.
I really can’t wait for college. I could go out during weekends whenever I want! I want to meet more people!
5 more months to go…
I just want to graduate.
People create their own rules and boundaries, to which they comply. They create their own padded comfy cells, which they are reluctant to break out of. Often they are happy to remain in this space, in this comfort zone.
There comes a time when it’s time to break out get a taste of those flavors you have never experienced before. It’s a time to sample the things that you may either hate or love and see the wonders that lie beyond the self-created safe place. It’s a time to fly.
Since moving to America I have realized that everyone has their own comfort zones whether it be their home, their country or even just their daily routine. Taking my friend to my first American concert this Thursday I saw how these boundaries exist.
As I pushed to the front surging with the crowd he stood unsure, moving with the people against his will. If he had another option he would surely have been at home playing video games, but he didn’t have that choice. The only choice he had was to become part of the crowd and embrace the music. So that’s what he did.
Speaking afterwards he was full of joy and “buzzing” with excitement. He had stepped out of his comfort zone and experienced something magnificent.
This week my 43-year-old mother is trying out an adult ballet class. Something she has loved from a young age but never had the opportunity or guts to do. Since moving to the U.S she has realized stepping out of ones comfort zone often brings you liberation and that is why she has decided to try something different.
So I encourage you all, take that extra step to do something different and you may find everything you have ever wanted.
Just now, a freshman girl from China interviewed me about freedom at OVS. It was fascinating for me to have a citizen of a communist country pay attention to my insights about such “forbidden” topic, freedom.
The questions were pretty straightforward. Here are some: What can you do to improve freedom at OVS? Do you think OVS has a lot of freedom? What do you do during your freedom at OVS? What is your first impression of OVS?
Our school try to provide the students with many opportunities even if some might disagree.
But, are we given with the right amount of freedom?
Yes, we are given with a lot of free time. So, does that necessarily mean we possess the rights to our freedom?
Pondering for a brief moment, I found myself caught in the conflict between individuality and society.
Balancing out these two is crucial. And, here I relate these thoughts to OVS.
Integrity. Individuality. Utilitarian society. Liberty. Morals. Coercion. Censorship.
If I were to list these words to describe OVS in a certain order of relevancy, I would have to weigh out a lot of OVS student handbook regulations, American societal standard, and realistic circumstances where all these regulations would be implicated. To that end, I am not going to organize them here anyway.
What if, a girl or a boy student decides to wear a plain shirt with a single word, “gay” or “lesbian”, printed?
Would this behavior be interpreted as an act of rebellion, a violation to the profession as a student, or nothing?
Just wondering.
Today is my birthday.
Birthdays are something we, as kids, cherish. It’s all about “growing up” and “being a big kid,” but when do we really stop and realize what we have? I’m finding that the older I get, the less excited I am for each birthday. Most kids my age are claiming that they’re excited to be 18, for freedom, and 21, for alcohol, but why? Does anyone stop and think that turning 18 is practically being thrown into a lion’s den from the comfy and less hostile world we’re used to? You have to pay for yourself, manage school work, and keep a social life. It’s already hard enough in high school to manage school work along with a social life. Even adults past age 27 or so wish they were younger. Here, in high school, and partially college, everything is set up for us, but when we hit the real world we’re on our own. I don’t want to grow up anymore.
OVS Journalism Blog 
