Monthly Archives: July 2024

Exploring Arizona’s hiking trails.

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Image from https://horseshoebend.com/horseshoe-bend-the-initmate-grand-canyon-experience/

During my winter break, I went on a road trip to Arizona with my sister, her two Frenchies, and her cat; it was a fun and exciting experience. Arizona is a unique and intriguing destination, with many trails and landmarks that provide an unforgettable experience. However, if you plan on visiting Arizona in the winter, pack layers and warm clothes. Arizona can be surprisingly chilly, with temperatures often hovering around forty to fifty degrees.

The most popular thing to do in Arizona is hit the trails for hiking adventures. I’ve explored various hikes, and let me tell you, it’s not a walk in the park, especially when I’m carrying my sister’s British English cat on my back. Koda, the cat, is bigger than the typical cat, making those uphill treks a bit more of a challenging workout.


One trail that stood out was Horseshoe Bend. The hike was surprisingly not too hard, and the top payoff was worth the effort. The view? Absolutely stunning. The only downside was that it was freezing up there, and my skin felt extremely dry. I would pack some lotion next time I go to Arizona. The hike back down was a lot easier, and the slope helped lighten some of the load on my back.


Then, there was the Soldier Pass Trail. Supposedly a leisurely hike, but it turned out to be more of a medium-level challenge. We aimed for the Seven Sacred Pools, a hidden gem with seven water pools that attract hikers and tourists alike. The uphill part of this hike was a bit more demanding, but the way down was a breeze. Remember to stick to the trail – nobody wants to get lost in the wild! So, if you want to up your hiking game, the Soldier Pass might just be the ticket.


The last four days of our trip, we wanted to change it up and explore other places. For a change of scenery, we headed to the West Fork Trail in Sedona, surrounded by towering red rock formations. This trail meanders along Oak Creek, crossing crystal-clear streams and offering glimpses of vibrant fall foliage. It’s a relatively easy hike, perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature without breaking too much sweat. It’s a relief since I’m still hiking with my sister’s cat.


During the last two days, we were eager for more excitement; we tackled the Devil’s Bridge Trail in Sedona, known for its iconic sandstone arch. The hike was a moderate challenge, but the anticipation of standing on the bridge motivated all of us. When I reached the destination, the feeling was nothing short of awe-inspiring, with the natural arch providing a stunning backdrop to the surrounding red rock landscape.


Arizona is an absolute blast for a short vacation, but if you’re considering extending your stay for more than a week, be prepared to face the scorching heat with an arsenal of moisturizers! As my sister drove into the heart of Arizona, we were greeted by many stunning landmarks and sights that left me utterly captivated and speechless. The unforgettable experiences along some out-of-the-box trails made every mile of the journey worthwhile. To all the intrepid souls gearing up to witness Arizona’s winter wonders, brace yourselves for the adventure of a lifetime! Have a safe trip, and soak in every moment!

Happy Hiking!

Bella H.

Band Review: Coldplay

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I have another artist I would like to share with everyone, except this time you’ve probably heard of them! This band is Coldplay!

Coldplay is a British alt rock/pop rock band formed in 1997. They released their first album, Parachutes, in 2000. Parachutes, in my opinion, is their best album to date. It has one of their more well-known songs, Yellow, but also what I consider to be their best songs, like Shiver, Spies, High Speed, and Don’t Panic. I feel like it’s their most unique album and they sort of fell into more poppy music down the line. I really like the feel of the album all the way through, it’s a very chill album and it makes you feel like you’re just aimlessly drifting.

Their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head,  was released two years later and is my second favorite album by them. This album also has two pretty popular songs by them, Clocks and The Scientist. I like A Rush of Blood to the Head because of its unique instrumentals. This album is noticeably less calm and a little sadder, or at least melancholic, shown with songs like Politik, The Scientist, and Warning Sign.

I’d like to skip forward to their 6th album, A Head Full of Dreams, released in 2015. A Head Full of Dreams is much more of a pop rock album than an alt rock album. This one has a few popular songs like Hymn for the Weekend and Adventure of a Lifetime, which I would actually agree are the best songs on this album. A lot of the other songs are pretty forgettable, but I don’t hate them. The two songs make me feel like I’m flying through some sort of city or some big spectacular scene, and I think it’s really neat how they were able to write music like that that.

Skipping forward again to their 8th and most recent album released in 2021, Music Of The Spheres. Each song from this album is meant to represent a song from each planet in this theoretical solar system, but all of them are pretty poppy. A good portion of them are collaborations with other artists, such as Selena Gomez (in Let Somebody Go) and BTS (in My Universe). I like the idea behind this album, but I feel like it was executed poorly and I don’t really like any of the songs. However, there is one song on this album that breaks that rule: Coloratura. Coloratura is a 10 minute masterpiece that I feel perfectly ends the story they were trying to tell. I would highly recommend skipping the album and just listening to that song.

In conclusion, Coldplay is a talented band that sort of fell off, but their older songs are still very good and worth a listen. That’s not to say all of their newer songs are bad, as there’s still some pretty great ones.

The Splash Brothers

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Steph Curry and Klay Thompson revolutionized the game of basketball by hitting ridiculously long-distance threes consistently.  The second they step past half-court, they are an immediate threat to shoot and score.  Teams have to bring their defense up past the three-point line to ensure that doesn’t happen.  They are the first to have defenses be so frightened of such incredible shooting.  They were given the nickname “The Splash Brothers”.  When a basketball cleanly goes into a hoop, it makes a splash sound.  That is why they are the Splash Brothers because they splash threes consistently and continuously.

When they first began contending for championships, lots of people doubted them because they thought shooting alone couldn’t win championships.  The championship teams before Steph and Klay normally always either have a point guard with a great big man scoring and dunking, or two-way wing players.  For example, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the point guard and big man, or Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as two-way wing players.   But Steph and Klay completely changed that narrative.  

From 2015-2022, they proved that you can win championships with great shooting alone.  They also had a great playmaker in Draymond Green to find them open to shoot or set screens to get them open to shoot.  They dominate the NBA together, winning four championships in seven years.  

The Maybe Man Album Review

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The Maybe Man is the fifth album written by AJR. Let me just say that AJR is my favorite band and that I definitely recommend them. 

A bit of background information about AJR. AJR is an American indie pop band. The members are Adam, Ryan and Jack Met, a trio of brothers from New York. The trio actually write all of their own songs. They first gained popularity in 2015 with their single I’m Ready when an Australian singer liked the song. Sense then, they have released 5 albums:

  • Living Room
  • The Click
  • Neotheatre
  • OK Orchestra

and the reason I am writing this

  • The Maybe Man

Now, let’s review this amazing album.

Track One, The Maybe Man: This song is an overview of the entire album. The lyrics all directly relate to the following songs, which is super interesting because you have to match each lyric to the songs. The song is all about a man who wants to be something else. I like this song because it builds up the entire time until the end where the song gets really party-ish.

“I wish that my brain would triple in size- I’d nail ever joke, I’d win every fight- But I’d get too deep with that kind of mind- I don’t wanna know the point of life”

Track Two, Touchy Feely Fool: This was the song I was most excited about when I heard they were making a new album. It definitely lived up to what I wanted it to be. The lyrics are incredibly catchy and the beat will get stuck in your head all day long. This song is about a man who can’t get out of a toxic relationship. 

“I’m screwed- But, hey, what can you do?- I’m a touchy feely fool- I would give anything to not give a ****- About you (you)- Life is pretty cruel- For a touchy feely fool- I would give anything to not give a ****, but I do”

Track Three, Yes I’m A Mess: At first I loved this song, don’t get me wrong, I still like it, but I have heard it WAY too many times. These lyrics and beats get stuck in your head for days on end. It’s all about a dude who definitely needs a therapist, he’s running away and going kinda crazy. This song also has a really good music video.

 “Cheers to the front and cheers to the back- And cheers to the 2010s (literally the year I was born, guess they know their audience)- I could hate my guts when the sun comes up- But I like myself like this- I like myself like this”

Track Four, The Dumb Song: This is a pretty good song. I think that compared to the other songs on the album, this one is a bit covered up. Not a bad song, it’s message is unique. It’s all about how the singer (our Maybe Man) isn’t very smart so whatever happens isn’t his fault.

“You said with certainty- I may be the dumbest person that you’ve ever seen- You think you’re hurting me- Bet you won’t believe it, but you kinda set me free”

Track Five, Inertia: One of the most popular songs in the album, Inertia is one of my favorites. It’s a very… different song. AJR experiments with different voices and tunes. I know that this song is special, but once you like it, you LOVE it. It’s actually some of my friends’ favorite song. It’s all about different forms of inertia, but depending on your science class, It can really help you remember one of the forces exerted on planets by the Sun.

“I wanna be big like my plans-So why am I so tiny, and why am I so mad?-It’s inertia, guess this is just what I am- I’m stuck in this life, and I’m stuck in these pants”

Track Six, Turning Out Pt. iii: To be honest, this song is lower on my list of songs. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good song. It’s just more emotional and slow. So far, AJR has written 3 Turning Out songs and I think this is the last one. It centers on our Maybe Man’s love life, but was actually written by Ryan Met.

“Love isnt big, kid-  It’s little and quiet- Let’s do today- I think you’ll turn out to like it”

Track Seven, Hole in the Bottom of My Brain: I was excited for this song for two reasons. One; I thought the title was super interesting and for some reason I imagined gunshots???? And two; It was the only non-explicit song on the album, which, added to my imagined gunshot wounds, made me super intrigued in this song. The song itself was super cool because it built up every lyric until the end. It’s kinda about things building up.

“There’s a hole in the bottom of my brain- When I spend money, the hole goes away- If I could finally get clothes that are fancily sewn- I could finally be ready for fame”

Track Eight, The DJ is Crying for Help: Not one of my favorite songs on the album, this song is more mainstream than the others. I don’t have much to say about this song. It’s just, bleh. It’s about our Maybe Man and how he has to grow up and doesn’t know what to do now.

“Hey now , hold up, we were fun as hell- I’m all grown up but you couldn’t tell- Now I don’t know what to do with myself- The DJ is cryin’ for help”

Track Nine, I Won’t: My least favorite song, I Won’t is more mainstream then the previous. I don’t know, this song has a pretty funny YouTube short. It’s about not wanting to do things, about not giving in to peer pressure and doing what YOU want.

“I don’t got a body like I see in the press- So I got to the precipice of pressing my chest- And now I look impressive with a couple of pecs- Just like my friends”

Track Ten, Steve’s Going to London: AWESOME SONG!!!! It’s so good. AJR originally wrote this song so they had at least one not super meaningful heavy song in the album. Honestly, that’s what this song is. It’s super lightweight compared to the rest of the songs. This song is super fun because when you listen to it, it’s like two different songs mushed into one. There actually is no real meaning to this song, so enjoy!

“ Well, you try to find some meaning in your life before you’re gone (ooh)- There’s a song that don’t mean anything at all (ooh)- And it sounds like”

Track Eleven, God is Really Real: Saddest. Song. Ever. They wrote this song when their dad got sick. He did unfortunately die, which is really awful. I love (can you love a song this sad?) this song. There’s really not much I can say about this song, except, bring tissues.

“I’ll sing it for you, dad- When you get out of bed- I’ll sing it for you when you’re out of bed”

Track Twelve, 2085: LAST SONG!!!!!!! This is the longest song written by AJR at 5 minutes and 31 seconds. It’s the end of the album, so it wraps up the entire album with a pretty little ribbon. Love the song, it’s all about the end of the Maybe Man’s life and his regrets and achievements.

“I wish I was me- Whoever that is- I could just be- And not give a ****- Hey I’ll be whatever makes you a fan- Cause I don’t know who the he** I am”

Overall, this is a beautiful album that I took way too much time writing about. I hope you enjoy The Maybe Man by AJR.

MUN 101: How to get started in Model United Nations

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Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations where delegates of different countries gather to attempt to solve real world issues. In Model United Nations (MUN), students act as the role of the delegates and model what it is like to be a real delegate and solving real world issues.

The quickest way to get into MUN is to join your school clubs or classes if available. Students are able to get more experience and learn faster that way. If there isn’t any of those choice, there is always the option to start your own! Ask your school’s teacher and counselors about those options.

MUN consists of a lot of parts. You need to complete research papers on your country, position papers, resolution papers, and opening speeches. Now, it may seem complicated, but there are so many different free resources out there for you. Websites like UN.ORG, AMUN.ORG, AllAmericanMUN.ORG are just some of the many resources out there. Many videos are available on YouTube with free tips and tricks on how to improve quickly and efficiently.

Basic needs for almost every conference is all of your research on your assigned country, your position paper, 6-10 resolutions on the topic which including reliable sourcing to back them up, opening speech, a few mods that you may want to bring up to discuss, a notepad, and writing utensil. As for MUN conferences (which are competitions) formal wear is usually if not always required. Delegates are usually required to wear suits and or any other type of formal wear.

Good luck on your MUN journey!

Book vs. TV Series: Percy Jackson

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Many Disney and Percy Jackson fans have long awaited the arrival of the TV series Percy Jackson. Having read the series, I immediately watched the first two episodes of the series that Disney launched. The series is chronologically ordered, starting with the first book The Lightning Thief. Episodes 1 & 2 are about Percy’s journey to Camp Half-Blood, the ‘death’ of his mother, and the beginning of his quest.

Overall, I thought that the first two episodes were decent; however, it wasn’t the best. One criticism I have is that some important scenes (and details) were left out. At the beginning of Episode 1, Mr. Brunner hands Percy his sword Riptide. However, in the book, Brunner throws Percy his sword and pretends it never happened. Though this is a tiny detail, I noticed that it was left out. On a larger note, one extremely important scene that was left out was the prophecy of someone dying. In the book, when Percy is on the bus, he looks out of the window and sees 3 women cutting a string–which foreshadows the death of his mother. While there are probably about 10 other scenes that were left out, I think that the show did a mediocre job of embodying the book.

Another small criticism that I have is that the characters from TV series look too young. While Percy is 12 in the book (and the other kid supporting characters are), the actors look way too young. If I did not have any previous knowledge of the TV series/book, I would assume that the characters were between the age of 8-9. Despite the actor’s youthful appearance, I would say Walker Scobell (Percy), is very talented. A final criticism I have is that some of the characters do not match the descriptions of the book. For example, Gabe, Annabeth, Clarisse, and Grover do not have the same characteristics as the characters in the book. Personally, I feel that it takes away from the story; but I’m sure the actors will do a phenomenal job for this series.

After watching the first two episodes of this series, my assessment is that while the series is decent, the book is much better. While I believe that you should watch the series, I would recommend reading the books first.

The Percy Jackson & the Olympians book series by Rick Riordan is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Heat Warnings!

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Now that it’s summer, we have to be more observant of the temperature outside as well as the heat warnings that the government sends out. It can be hazardous for everyone, especially for student-athletes who are participating in summer sports.

There are two types of heat strokes. One is exertional heat stroke and the other is classical heat stroke. Exertional heat stroke is one of the top 3 killers of athletes and soldiers in the U.S.

An exertional heat stroke is a sunstroke that is caused by intense exercise in the heat. In contrast, classical heat stroke is caused by prolonged exposure to hot weather and is most common in more vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, infants, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

The reason why extreme heat is so dangerous to your body is because it denatures your cells, causing them to leak their contents out into your blood. When the contents leak, it may cause liver/kidney damage and even failure of vital organs.

Some ways to identify exertional heat stroke are increased heart rate, confusion/disorientation, low blood pressure, and if your core body temperature measures above 40 degrees Celsius. Here is a little infographic below for more information:

The best method for cooling someone is to first remove any athletic or protective gear from the victim if any. Then, place them in an ice water tub while stirring the water and monitoring vitals continuously.

Besides cold water immersion, another way to cool an individual with exertional heat stroke is by dousing them in ice water and applying wet towels over their entire body, aiming to cool as much surface area as possible.

Stay safe and cool out there everyone!

Join the Teen Advisory Board!

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The Teen Advisory Board is a group that meets once a month and works with the Teen Services Librarian to develop programs and services for the community. TAB members have the opportunity to create their own programs and take on leadership roles.

Check out these pictures of some of the fun activities TAB worked on last year (scroll down).

Applications will be accepted June 15-July 31.

For more information, please contact the Teen Services Librarian at ohoward@cityofmissionviejo.org. 

The Joy Luck Club

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In 1989, Amy Tan published the story The Joy Luck Club, a novel describing the struggles and experiences of Chinese immigrants in the United States. In 1949, shortly after World War II, four women created a group to play mahjong, a Chinese tile-based game. The book centers around these four women and each of their American-born daughters.

The story dives into the cultural differences between each mother and child of different origins. They struggle to understand one another, affecting their relationship. The fourth mothers (Suyuan Woo, An-mei Hsu, Lindo Jong, and Ying-Ying St. Clair) realize that America is not what they expected and the American Dream is almost unattainable. Each mother has a different story with her daughter, but they are all interconnected. They reveal the misunderstandings and different values between each mother-daughter relationship.

Suyuan Woo wanted her daughter Jing-mei to be a genius as a child. She pushed Jing-mei to try activities she had no interest in. Suyuan hoped to instill strength in her daughter since she persevered through a war in China. She was internally strong and determined to combat any challenge she faced. However, without many opportunities in China, she could not achieve all her dreams. This led her to have high expectations for her daughter, which Jing-mei was unable to attain, causing a strain on their relationship. Although she feels pressured at first, after her mother’s death, she begins to find her identity after she visits her half-sisters in China. She understands her culture and heritage, allowing her to balance her American and Chinese identity to fulfill her mother’s wishes.

An-mei Hsu encountered many challenges in her childhood. She witnessed her mother’s manipulation and eventual suicide at an early age. Her entire family saw her as a failure, destroying her confidence. Her daughter, Rose, was in a traumatic marriage with her husband and was unable to find her voice. However, she listens to An-mei and fights for herself, creating a connection between them.

As a child, Lindo Jong was forced into marriage with a spoiled and disrespectful boy named Tyan-yu. She is treated as a servant but can escape, characterizing her childhood. She wants her daughter Waverly to be able to control her destiny. Waverly develops an ego and becomes overconfident, but still struggles with her relationship with her fiancé Rich. Through conversations and advice from her mother, Waverly can find herself and gain insight, allowing her to control her life.

Finally, Ying-Ying is faced with trauma through broken marriages as a child. She is scarred for life and warns Lena to be cautious, creating a sense of generational trauma. Once Ying-Ying marries Clifford St. Clair, she loses her identity and Chinese heritage through a name change. Her miscarriage afterward is her final straw, which sends her into a downward spiral and she becomes a “ghost” of herself. She is unable to communicate with her daughter (Lena) and husband, making her feel she has no voice. However, Lena learns to express herself and free herself from built-up internal pain, helping her confront her husband, Harold, and break away from the marriage.

Overall, The Joy Luck Club is a tremendous novel that explores the different experiences of four pairs of mothers and daughters. The struggle to communicate, balance their identities, and achieve their American Dream creates an intriguing experience for the reader and a further desire to read.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

“When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi Book Review

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“What is the meaning of life?”

When Breath Becomes Air: Kalanithi, Paul

When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir by Paul Kalanithi. Paul Kalanithi was a very successful person, had a loving wife, completed multiple degrees, and won multiple awards. He was a neurosurgeon, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the peak of his medical career. He decided to write this book in months preceding his death, when he was already terminal. He thought he can thus make an important contribution to the society. Readers are invited into his journey that intertwines the realms of medicine, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. His memoir serves not only as a personal testament but also as a guide for readers to contemplate their own lives and values. It challenges readers to reflect on their priorities and aspirations, urging everyone to live life with a purpose.

Through his introspective journey, Kalanthi explores literature and philosophy, seeking answers and understanding of life’s toughest questions. He faces mortality with courage. He is a doctor who transitions from treating patients to becoming one. He thus provides a unique perspective on illness and healing. He shares his experiences navigating the medical system from both sides of the hospital system. He sheds light on the medical school experience and the life of a medical professional. Additionally, central to Kalanithi’s narrative, is his relationship with his wife, Lucy. Their love, their journey together in the face of realities of illness and mortality, underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Through this story, we are reminded of the power of human connections, life’s fragility, and the importance of embracing each moment. Reading this book is truly an exercise in empathy. It encourages us to contemplate the legacy we wish to leave behind. Kalanithi reminds us to live fully, love deeply, and seek meaning in every breath we take.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.