Tag: life

Los Angeles Art Show

mushuooLeave a comment

https://i0.wp.com/d2jv9003bew7ag.cloudfront.net/uploads/LA-Art-Show.jpgLast night I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of the Los Angeles Art Show to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

I have been to a few art shows before, but none compare to this one.

There was historic and contemporary art, the historic was romantic and detailed,  while the contemporary was polished and fashionable.

Although I had a rough go-of-it in new shoes that I had not worn previously to this event, I was mesmerized by the thousands of painting, sculptures, and sketches covering the walls.

The set-up was stunning. A labyrinth of walls glowing with spotlights throughout an entire floor of the LA Convention Center was filled with hundreds, if not thousands of people.

After strolling around the maze of artwork for a few hours, my friends and I went home for the night.

I cannot wait to attend next year’s show.

 

Why I Do Not Enjoy Boats

mushuooLeave a comment

Yesterday in AP Environmental, our teacher told the class that we are taking a class field trip to Anacapa Island. For most, this news was great, but for me, not so much.

Not many things scare me to the point of wanting to run away, but boats do.

So, let me tell you how this fear originated.

I went on a trip to Catalina Island in sixth grade. They told us the boat ride would be easy, with two to three-foot​ swells. We got on the boat and sailed off into the Pacific.

The boat ride there was easy, just like they said, two-foot​ swells.

But the ride back was much different.

They told us the same wave prediction again, but nearly ten minutes after sailing off from the island, we instantly knew something was wrong.

It was windy and storm – no rain, but clouds completely covering the sky. We continued on, only to be prepping for an emergency about a half an hour into the ride.

The boat was rocking side to side, but not in a relaxing motion, in the way that I was almost sure we were going to capsize. The waves looked like they were going to cover the side of the boat, terrifying everyone.

The scariest part was that when I went to my teacher for comfort, the only thing she had to say was that I should make sure I know where a life vest is.

We made it back to the Long Beach harbor, but since that day I have never gotten on a boat.

 

Bang Bang

mushuooLeave a comment

How is it possible that two people on the “Do Not Fly” list can purchase guns and ammunition?

How is it that these two people can then take those weapons to shooting ranges and practice for what would be another mass shooting?

How is it that there are loopholes like this in the system that can be so easily manipulated that 14 people loose their lives because these two dedicated terrorists decide to shoot up a building full of innocent people?

I don’t think anyone has answers, but I think it’s about time we figure out why this catastrophe was even possible.

The number of mass shootings that have occurred in the United States alone in the past year is ridiculous, people have such easy access to weapons that there is truly​ no border on what people can purchase.

We attempted to control the use of guns, but in all actuality, we are violating the second amendment in our Constitution.

So where is the middle? Where is there a safe, yet Constitution-abiding law that gives U.S. Citizens the right TO bear arms, but also puts a cap on who can purchase these deadly weapons?

I think we need to look deeper into the situation- if you are NOT a U.S. citizen, but live here, you should not be able to purchase a gun. If you have a past mental illness history, you should​ not be able to purchase a gun. If you are under the age of 18, you should not be able to purchase a gun.

This is all speculation.

Dealing with the issue of gun control and implementing laws that have the possibility of changing U.S. citizen’s second amendment rights is sensitive, but necessary for our safety.

Senseless Violence

paris22Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Dailymail.co.uk

Quite frankly, when I thought about writing a post on the ISIS attacks over this past weekend I was afraid. Yes, I was afraid of speaking my mind about ISIS, in fear of ISIS. But, as I mulled over this I realized how wrong it was for me to be scared to voice my opinions because of a group who threatens many others for speaking theirs. So, I am writing this blog post because I will not let a terrorist group stop me from speaking my mind, because that’s what they want me and many others to do. ISIS staged an attack on Paris, but not only them, Paris is just ISIS’ most recent victim. ISIS also attacked Egypt and Beirut only weeks ago. And for what? Because they don’t agree with the way they live? Because traditions and norms that are shared throughout the US, UK, France, and more don’t coincide with how the members of ISIS choose to live? Is that why countless people have been killed, and not just by ISIS, in terrorist attacks? I could keep guessing the reasons, but honestly I don’t know.  And it gets even more twisted when I, personally, even try to conceive or understand how someone could kill innocent people, and for what I ask again? And though this post is surmised mostly of questions, that is all I have in this situation. Because it’s something that isn’t understandable. This isn’t a hard math problem, or a trick question that you finally understand after an explanation from the teacher; this is real life. Real, twisted life. And when one tries to explain a situation like this, only more questions arise. I mourn for all of the people who lost their lives, and I am deeply saddened. But I will not let these type of people deter me from living my life the way I want. And I will not live my life in constant fear that this will happen to me, and neither should anyone else.

ISIS CRISIS PART TWO

mushuooLeave a comment

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

If you haven’t read Isis Crisis (part one) you probably should right now.

This week’s attacks on Paris have left me stunned beyond all belief. I cannot believe that ISIS has progressed to the point of being able to get bombs into supposedly relatively high security countries.

I can fathom how it is that these terrorists are able to commit these acts, but one though ticks me to the point of obsession; WHY is it ISIS commits these attacks.

How is it that people get so desperate that they result to killing others as a measure of success?

As I sit here writing this blog, I attempt to wrap my mind around the thought-process of an ISIS terrorist.

As terrible as it is, I want to know why people are driven to commit these acts of violence.

Is it religion? Resources? Simply the way this group of people was raised?

Hilary Clinton offered a very well-explained option as a next step in the fight against ISIS; more allied plans, more airstrikes, and a “broader target set”.

This seems to be the most logical idea that has been expressed, and I hope she is taken seriously, because it’s time we start shutting this down.

 

Happy

beetlejusLeave a comment

What I fail to do in my day-to-day life is take things less seriously.

I always think about the future and whether the guy I have a crush on will ever reciprocate my feelings or whether I’ll ever amount to anything.

These things—these vague dreams and thoughts of mine cause my stomach to churn and my eyes to fill with tears.

I want to live life for now, not waste my thoughts on the future. For who knows whether I’ll even be alive for the moments I dream about.

When I was younger I would see people in commercials, with their perfect BMI and perfectly white teeth, and I couldn’t help but think, why not me?

Why am I not happy or perfect everyday of the year? Why am I not constantly dressed in designer knock offs from Macy’s?

The truth is, these people are just actors who are paid to be happy, and they’re probably not paid too much either. I mean it’s a JC Penney commercial. 

If you were happy everyday of your life you wouldn’t be a person, you’d be a game show host. 

I try to live my life with as much hope as possible.

While on the outside I seem like this moody teenager who thrives off sarcasm and the misfortune of others, I really do care.

 I love to laugh and I love to make people laugh.  I love sunshine and 80’s power ballads. I love animals and strong coffee. I love my family and friends. 

I want to live my life happy.   I don’t care if I’m never rich or famous or the star of a TJ Maxx commercial, I just want to be the happiest person I can be. 

https://40.media.tumblr.com/7c1332a2f33a3dc5eee90e40b3e9fa6a/tumblr_mf9jayY7lc1s0fx2ko1_500.png
credit to tumblr

Happiness

thebeigegirl

I hear a lot of people say, “Why is my life so hard?”

And I want to ask them back is, “Why do you think that your life shouldn’t be hard?”

People, including myself, have a tendency to perceive hard lives to be unhappy lives.

However, if you change the way you think a little bit, you can be happier than before.

PC: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/23/chasing-happiness_n_5197699.html

There are tiring parts but there are still fun parts in our lives.

If you don’t love all your tough challenges and uphill battles, you are not loving your own life.

Love your entire life, even the hardest parts of it.

Happiness will then come to you.

PC: http://deliveringhappiness.com/reasons-for-living-its-the-little-things/

 

Just Some Strange Feeling

kennyroo

Explaining how love feels is like trying to describe the taste of water.

It’s like trying to describe a blooming field of poppies to a blind man.

Love is something universally cherished yet doled out so sparingly by most.

This feeling – this fire burning inside of you ignites a burning passion that can be matched by no other.

Maybe we’re afraid of that ferocious flame being extinguished much too soon.

Ultimately, we all want to be loved. We all want to be wrapped up in mutual certainty.

How should I explain to you the warmth of a thousand suns? I can’t do just that, but I sure can love you and that feeling is almost the same.

Love is the most universal thing in the entire world.

You are here, now, reading this, because two people loved each other.

If I could make everyone feel the same way few have made me feel, I would. But that’s your journey to experience.

I’m only 17 years into my journey and I have yet to see some of the best days of my life.

And sometimes you’re going to be someone’s “something” while they are your “everything” – and that is going to be really tough.

But you know what? Life is tough. And so are you.

https://ovsjournalists.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/47351-holding-hand-kids-little-couple-balloon-cute.jpg
Photo Credit to: http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Things Change (again?)

indigoshell

At what point do you realize that you don’t enjoy the things you used to enjoy? And why is it that you stop enjoying them?

Not enjoying the things that you used to enjoy is a symptom of depression and burnout. Or maybe it’s a symptom of growing up and realizing that there are more important things than knitting, reading, or playing video games.

Photo cred; iliketowastemytime.com

People change. Times change. Situations change. One sees many a romance novel/book with the main protagonist crying “but why do things have to change?” or “we could have it just the way it was before.”

Why do things change. Why do some things become more important than others? Sure, hobbies come and go, but you’ve got a problem when you realize that you can’t enjoy anything anymore.

The Faults of Living (at school)

lanative1Leave a comment
When I was younger, I thought that teachers lived at school.   I imagined them sleeping in the classrooms, pulling out the mats we used for nap time and creating comfortable beds.  I thought it sounded really fun and cool to live at school.  Now that I actually do live at my school, I have a better understanding of what it means and what you give up.
At OVS, there is a clear divide between the day students and the resident students. This is because the day students have time to see each other outside of school every day without the resident students.  Similarly, the resident students have a lot of time every day without the day students.  This has created a noticeable rift between the student body.  When you live at school, it’s harder to put aside free time for your friends.  With a schedule that maps out almost every minute of the day, it is a lot more difficult for residents than day students.
There are a lot of day students that I really like and want to get to know better.  However, as much as I wish I could change it, watching them drive away as I am confined up on the hill is pretty much standard procedure.