Grass Field, Oak Tree, Wind Breeze, Ants

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***Here’s a little vignette (or rather more like a poem) about freedom I did at school. It may not be factually correct, especially about the part of ants, and my grammar isn’t the greatest but enjoy.

₁: It is a Webtoon called Jungle Juice by Hyungeun Jo. Honestly, I read this in a pretty cringe era in my 8th-grade year, so I don’t really recommend this.

Across the ocean, in a place far away, on a verdant field, with an oak tree above my head.

A place where they understand me, but I do not, but I hope I will one day.

Sitting on the dew-dropped field, though making my clothes wet, smells nice.

With my back against the oak tree and the oak tree tossing its autumn leaves at me like I’m a friend it’s teasing, I feel at peace.

The wind, with a mischievous look on its face, thrusts me, almost making me lose the book I was reading.

Seeing that it failed, it struts away in annoyance, huffing and puffing, humming its song as it walks away.

Little soldiers walk through the woods.

Little soldiers do their work.

They gather material, and they fight off intruders.

Protecting their commander and protecting each other.

They go along with life, and they have fun too, though they don little black armor and pointy pincers too.

I once read a comic₁ about people having the abilities of bugs.

It made bugs seem cooler than they do in real life, though they probably have more freedom than we humans regarding choice and duty.

I look at myself, and I look at an hourglass.

I want to grab the sand and flip the glass, to start all over once again, but I think the sand is in my eyes.

To run like lions across the safari, 

To stand upright with composure,

To do their work without a worry,

For how I wish to be like that,

For how I wish to be like that.

Free like the wind,

Free like the oak tree that I see behind me,

Free like those little black ants in their own little world.

One day, when I’m free,

Free from the shackles of the future and expectations, 

Free from grains of sand slipping through the hourglass uncontrollably,

I, when I’m free, no, I know I will be,

Then I can understand that verdant field across the ocean, with an oak tree in the middle, with freedom’s lyre lying in the wind.

Like they understand me.

Whale Sharks: Underwater Terrors or Gentle Giants?

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A whale shark swimming underwater with a group of smaller fish in the background.

Imagine you’re swimming far out in the ocean. You’re sitting on the edge of a kayak and something rough brushes your foot, with the texture of sandpaper. You look down and see an enormous shape, larger than a school bus, with white specks and stripes scattered on it. And it’s swimming right below you.  

The word “shark”, for most people, strikes a bit of uncertainty in their mind, maybe even some fear. But not all sharks have to seem like terrifying, man-eating giants. We present to you, the whale shark. 

Whale sharks are some of the largest fish in the world, and more specifically, the largest species of shark. They can grow to be up to 40 feet in size and weigh around 20 tons at full maturity, which is larger than the length of a school bus and over thrice as heavy as one.

To keep up with their extreme size, they have to eat a lot, too. They are carnivorous, but don’t worry, that doesn’t mean they eat people. A whale shark’s diet consists of plankton, krill, and small fish. They are filter feeders, so they swallow their small food and huge amounts of water, straining and filtering the water out.

Whale sharks travel around and populate tropical seas, out in deeper water and farther away from shallow areas. They are generally solitary, and have a very calm demeanor, allowing swimmers to interact with them.

They may seem like huge, underwater terrors, but really, WE might be the terrors for them. Every year, thousands of whale sharks are killed each year, through human disturbance, hunting, pollution, and bycatching. They are hunted for their fins, and are hurt through accidental capture.

To help, you can avoid whale shark products, contribute to reducing ocean pollution, and support and sustainable fishing practices. 

Bleach by Tite Kubo: Manga Review

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Bleach chapter cover art Kubo,Tite | Bleach manga, Bleach anime art, Bleach anime

Even though he has the ability to see spirits, Ichigo Kurosaki strives to live as an ordinary high school student in Karakura Town, Japan. His life takes a drastic turn when he must obtain the powers of a Soul Reaper, which he receives from Rukia Kuchiki, to cleanse evil spirits known as Hollows. With these mysterious powers, he embarks on a journey to protect his loved ones and discovers hidden parts of the world and himself.

Characters and Pacing

Each character has unique thematic elements and distinct philosophies which make them stand out to me, although some aren’t obvious at first glance. Also, the character designs are super cool! Bleach is the type of manga where each page must be read carefully while taking the time for reflection, as it may be easy to overlook crucial details that give deeper insight into a character’s actions and agency.

The intense battle scenes and violence aren’t just for hype moments, but reflect conflicting ideals between its participants. Throughout his battles, Ichigo not only forms and strengthens bonds with those around him, but he gradually learns to accept the darkest and most vulnerable parts of himself.

Compared to the anime, the manga’s pacing is faster and much more consistent, though it might make the fighting scenes a little boring and anticlimactic.

Mayuri's speech on perfection, his relationship with Nemu, and the events of TYBW: what's your take? : r/bleach
In Kurotsuchi Mayuri’s battle with Szayelaporro

Not to mention, there are some amazing antagonists and plot twists! I would’ve liked to include my top favorites in this post, but revealing their existence spoils the surprise.

However, I personally find the emotional development and impact to be lacking, as the series focuses more on presenting ideals and battles.

World Building and Themes

Much of Bleach’s world building and themes are predicated on the concepts of life and death, and encourages the reader to ponder not only the meaning behind the characters’ actions, but how those same ideas exist and can be applied to our modern society. Yes, the existence of multiple supernatural realms is fascinating, but they serve more as narrative mechanisms to demonstrate how the balance between life and death is delicate and how accepting both gives meaning to our existence.

What does white ichigo poem mean? : r/bleach

There are more poems like this at the end of each volume, and they really tie everything together.

Afterword

This is one of my favorite series ever, and I recommend it to older folks. It is highly advised that the manga be read first before watching the anime, as there are pacing issues in the animated version.

If you are planning to watch the anime, it’s okay to only watch the Thousand Year Blood War arc since there’s additional content which wasn’t in the manga.

…That’s it!

The Girl Under The Moon

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—

Under the sparkling paleness of the moon, a girl lays peacefully in the field of beautiful wildflowers surrounded by large, green evergreens, the dew on their petals glittering in the light. Her white dress lay spread around her, its short sleeves doing nothing to protect from the biting cold, though she doesn’t feel the temperature, or even the flowers underneath her. 

While laying there, staring up at the sky and its barely visible stars, the girl wonders where her family is, and how they are doing. She lets her mind run free, which she learned to never do…back then. 

The girl knows what she is, and where she is going, but she can’t bring herself to let go just yet. 

Watching from the shadows of the trees, a figure watches the girl, eyes big and empty. Waiting. And waiting. And waiting. 

The girl would take a deep breath, if she could. She knows its time, but doesn’t want to have to never see her family again. To never see grass, taste food. Feel wind, smell flowers. She can’t even smell the flowers she’s laying on, but she remembers she had terrible hayfever as a human. 

She’s not immortal, she’s not human. She’s not supernatural exactly, but she’s definitely not powerless. She is, though, very important.

—

Upon her throne, dressed in her flowing black gown, sits the girl, crown on her head, something akin to boredom in her eyes. She rests her head on her hand.

She ponders, and she dreams. She knows she could have been human long ago, and she knows she is not the first. 

She is the reincarnation of Death, because everyone dies, even if they are Death itself. 

Book Review – When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

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Cover of the book 'When Breath Becomes Air' by Paul Kalanithi, featuring a minimalist design with a blue feather.

As a pre-med, I’ve gotten into the habit of reading not just books containing relevant technical knowledge, but also the books that really show the human side of medical careers. This was the book that filled the story-shaped void in my stack of cell biology textbooks.

Dr. Paul Kalanithi, the author of this autobiography, details his journey, starting out with his experience moving to Kingman, Arizona from New York City. He didn’t have much to begin with; at the time, the school district he grew up in didn’t have the best resources, yet he pressed on. Finding solace and meaning in the classics, he built a solid foundation which ultimately got him into Stanford University. After finishing his master’s degree at Cambridge, he found his calling, and went to medical school at Yale.

Yet, the nature of this book wouldn’t be the same if it were just about his successes. The story takes a tragic turn in the middle of his neurosurgery residency. He was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic lung cancer. Reflecting on his mortality as a human, he realized that coming in such close contact with his own mortality had changed both “nothing and everything,” simultaneously realizing that thinking about death all the time was no way to live. Despite being faced this diagnosis, he didn’t stop being himself, continuing his career for as long as he can hold on.

Of all the autobiographies I have read, this one is the memorable, not because it related with a future career trajectory that I’m trying to pursue, but a rare book that addresses human mortality and the nature of life itself in a field that coexists side-by-side with death. It’s for this reason that I believe that this work is a must-read for anyone interested in pursuing a career in medicine. The one part that I simultaneously love and hate about autobiographies is their dual and fickle role— while they chronicle the herculean tasks that their authors had to go through to achieve overwhelming success, loss and sadness bleed through the pages as well. A good autobiography will have moments where one feels like they’re standing at the summit of the mountain with the author, and moments where one is crying alongside them.

Ultimately, my greatest takeaway from the book is this line, which follows me today, and will follow me as I continue to go through my own journey: “even if I’m dying, until I actually die, I am still living”.

Why Rewatching Movies Hit Different As You Grow Up

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As a kid, watching movies is usually only a source of entertainment. You’re just glad to be with your parents in a movie theater munching on some popcorn. You’re not wondering what that joke one of the characters said really meant under the surface or why there’s certain conflicts throughout the movie. As you get older, you have different experiences that teach you why some things are the way they are. This makes watching a movie you found on Netflix that you saw as a kid hit differently. There are two different perspectives watching the same movie. One is a six- year-old viewing the movie with rose colored glasses and with a brain that doesn’t quite understand how the world works yet. The other is a sixteen year old watching with her prescription glasses and the emotional intelligence of a wrinkly old woman. Both watching with a sense of wonder and thrill. It’s just that one version of you is better at looking out for the emotional state of the characters and the message behind the movie. For example, I remember watching my favorite Christmas movie, Home Alone, when I was a little kid. I wasn’t too focused on the plot, rather I was more into the cozy and cheerful vibes from the movie. Yes, I did understand the plot and was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie, but that wasn’t the main thing I was interested in. Recently, I’ve rewatched the movie out of nostalgia. Looking back on the movie, I’ve come to the realization that Kevin’s mother was terrible. It didn’t really click to me how outrageous it is to forget your kid before going on a trip miles from home. As a kid, I thought Kevin simply had his wish come true, to make his family disappear. I didn’t really understand what a hazard it must’ve been to have an 8 year old kid home alone. It truly was a hazard, considering the house got broken into. Kevin’s parents were just lucky enough he was a clever kid and didn’t end up seriously hurt. This isn’t the only movie that feels like this. There are so many more that hit just as hard. It’s like an aha moment. When something didn’t click as a kid, it definitely clicked now. In a way, it’s like connecting with that younger version of yourself. It feels nice remembering the silly thoughts you used to have watching something you didn’t understand. That’s the best part about rewatching old movies. Movies stay the same, but we don’t. That’s the beauty of growing up and becoming your own person.

Symphony in the Cities

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This past August, I volunteered for a city event called Symphony in the Cities. The event held at Oso Viejo Park, behind the Norman P. Murray Center, was a concert with a western theme called “Dust of Your Boots.” There were also fun booths and entertainment for children and food trucks for families to enjoy while listening to the performers. Included in the festivities were a mechanical bull, panning for gold, and a cow milking contest. The event was free to attend, attracting many local families and groups of all ages.

Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center | Mission Viejo CA

The concert needed volunteers for a few services like greeters and people to run the activities and oversee the bounce house. My job was as a member of the waste reduction education team. I was one of the volunteers at a booth with several types of waste disposal containers. Our job was to help people organize their waste into trash, recycling, and compost. We were provided with guides for what waste should go in what bin in advance.

I volunteered with a friend and we received four hours of community service each while we educated the community about the importance of properly organizing waste. Plus, we were right by the stage and were able to listen to incredible music the entire time. All in all, I would recommend volunteering for Symphony in the Cities when the event returns to Mission Viejo.

One of My best Stress Relievers

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School can seem extremely overwhelming. Some days, I get extremely lucky, and I have little to no homework, but other days, I can have tons of upcoming tests, or assignments/projects due soon. Between school work, tests, and activities, it is extremely easy to feel stressed or burned out. When this happens, I think that doing some form of exercise really helps reset someone’s mind. For me personally, baseball and going to the gym helps my mental health a lot.

As a student, there seems like there is always pressure to keep up. Grades matter, time feels limited, and it can feel like I can never catch a break. Stress builds up faster than people realize. As a student in high school, it feels like there is so much pressure on every decision I make and how it might impact my future and my career.

Baseball helps me slow down and focus. When I am on the field or in the batter’s box, I’m not thinking about assignments or deadlines. I’m only focused on the next pitch, the next play, and being present in the moment. As a teen, playing sports clears your head and teaches you discipline and patience. Although, at times, there may be extremely frustrating moments while playing sports, it pushes one to get better and improve as a player and as a person.

Going to the gym helps in a different way. Lifting weights allows me to relieve stress physically. After a workout, I feel calmer, more confident, and more prepared to handle challenges at school. I recommend that everybody should try to consistently get in the gym. If you workout 3-5 times a week, you can notice some results pretty fast both physically and mentally. Going to the gym improves focus after studying and boosts one’s confidence.

Everyone handles stress differently. For me, baseball and the gym are perfect ways to protect my mental health while staying active. Finding something that helps you reset, whether it being sports, music, or journaling, can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Disconnect And Recconect

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In 1990, around 96% of Americans had no cell phone, and exactly 30 years later, the number completely flipped. In 2020, it was reported that 98% of Americans had a cell phone or smartphone. With the rapid rise of technology use over the past 30 years, the way people live has changed completely. This was shown in work life, home life, and most of all, social life. Technology allowed people to connect with others from all over the world, whether it be the other side of the world or even the next-door neighbor.

While technology gave more opportunities to connect with others, for some, it completely isolated them. Studies show that in 2023, a report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” discovered that half of the U.S. adults experienced measurable levels of loneliness, and technology had a major impact on that. The focus on technology can induce feelings of loneliness due to the natural human need for social interaction and technology’s impact on these social interactions. Poor social connections can increase risks for major health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.

In order to prevent the decrease of social interaction and isolation, it’s important to strengthen social interactions. This can be done by going to parks, libraries, or other places that encourage social interaction with others. Hanging out with friends free from technology can also improve social interaction. There are many fun activities out there that don’t require technology in order to be fun. Some ideas can range from amusement parks to a little walk in the park, or even going swimming. Numerous community groups promote social interaction through volunteer activities, sports, or mentorship programs. Thus, since technology can hinder the social skills of many people, it’s important to interact with others and the environment without technology to improve social skills.

Getting started with Robotics

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Ever wanted to become Tony Stark? Maybe the thrill of making something yourself? If you have not, or have never heard of him (he’s Iron Man), then you’ve at least seen all these unique robots that you might not even consider. The humble Roomba, for example, is not the romanticized robot you might have been thinking about; however, it just shows how frequent and common they are in everyday life.

That being said, if you are interested in getting started with building robots, a Roomba may not scratch that “itch.” Robot arms and walking spider robots with sensors and tracking are all things achievable by a person with a few hundred bucks and some free time.

Personally, when I was getting started, I bought an Arduino electronics kit. An Arduino is essentially an electronic brain that can be programmed through their app or website, giving instructions to whatever robot you make. Typically, Arduinos are used for prototyping because of their ease of use; however, they make for great beginner to intermediate projects. Additionally, the kit provides components like sensors, wires, and other pieces that will get you started. I found videos online and even some books such as the “Arduino Projects” book by Arduino themselves.

After understanding circuitry and the Arduino, all you need is to obtain a 3D printer or any alternative option for creating physical parts (you could even use cardboard). A 3D printer will allow you to create the actual shells the robots operate with, structurally sound materials, and accurate designs. To make the designs themselves, Onshape is a free, web-based CAD software that will get you started designing.

It won’t come easy, but with motivation and research, anyone can make a robot, and it feels very rewarding. And, of course, now you don’t have to imagine becoming Tony Stark.