Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

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After her dad ships her off to the School of America in Paris (SOAP) for her senior year of high school, Anna meets St. Clair, a young boy with a British accent, who soon makes her forget her homesickness and begin to fall in love with more than just Paris.

There’s just two problems. He has a girlfriend who also just happens to be her neighbor and best friend, and Anna may or may not have a crush of her own back home, Toph.

Anna and The French Kiss is a truly beautiful romance filled with fluffy scenes between Anna and St. Clair as the two go to the theater, spend Thanksgiving with the each other, and visit Les Jardins de Luxembourg, the place where their romance begins to flourish.

Yet, personally, Anna can be a little hypocritical with the other characters in the novel. For example, Anna immedietely feels betrayed and considers breaking off her friendship with her childhood friend Bridgette after finding out that she started dating her old crush without telling her. However, Anna also goes behind her best friend Meredith’s back, choosing to continue her “friendship” and feelings with St. Clair, despite him already dating Meredith.

In spite of this fact, however, St. Clair truly is lovable and sweet, comforting Anna when she’s homesick and defending her against Ellie, his ex-girlfriend. Yet, even going so far as conquering his fear of heights for Anna, the book truly creates heartfluttering scenes atop Point Zéro as Anna and St. Clair begin to realize that home is when they’re together.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

My Favorite Camping Destinations

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Throughout my life, I’ve always loved camping with my family and friends over the summer break. During the school year, I look forward to spending time with my loved ones exploring the beautiful sights of nature. My family and close friends started out with local campsites and beach camping, but over the years, we’ve ventured far and wide to see some of the views of a lifetime with our growing camping family.
Following are some of my favorite camping destinations that I would fully recommend!

Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park

1. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
During the summers of 2022 and 2023, my family and our friends camped in the Tetons for ten nights, and I would say both trips were the highlight of my summer. We camped by Jackson Lake, a beautiful lake with a beautiful view of the mountains, and the scenery was incredible. There are many beautiful lakes and other views nearby, and Yellowstone National Park is only an hour’s drive away. At Grand Teton and in the nearby town of Jackson Hole, there are many fun activities, like paddle boarding and kayaking on the lakes, hiking, sightseeing, horseback riding, river rafting (my favorite!), biking through town, and many more! I also love the unique restaurants, ice cream shops, and souvenir shops in Jackson Hole. Overall, it makes for an exciting experience!

Secret Beach, Oregon

2. Brookings, Oregon
I’ve only been to the Oregon coast once, but I’m hoping to go again many more times. The coast is so beautiful and serene, and the hikes are scenic with breathtaking views and greenery. Camping there really puts my mind at peace because it is so calm and picturesque there. For me, the long drive was completely worth it. There is so much to explore, and I would of course recommend traveling there!

Carpinteria State Beach, California

3. Carpinteria State Beach, California
Carpinteria is a place that will always feel like my home away from home, as I’ve camped there almost every year for a long time. The beach is gorgeous, the waves are perfect for swimming, and there are great trails for hiking as well. It’s also really fun to walk or bike through town, where my favorite places are the ice cream shops, thrift stores, record stores, candy shops, antique stores, and coffee shops. All in all, it’s a beautiful beach not too far away with lots of fun things to do.

Rock Creek Lake, Inyo National Forest

4. Inyo National Forest, California
I’ve camped and sightseen at many places in Inyo National Forest, including Rock Creek Lake, Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake George, and more, all being beautiful places with amazing views and waters great for swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking. I’ve also biked around and taken the trolley through the town of Mammoth Lakes, where there are excellent restaurants and bakeries. One thing my family loves to do there is hike the trail to Gem Lake from Mosquito Flat. The trail is ten miles, but what I love about it is there are views the whole way there, so you can turn back whenever you want without missing out; there is a lake about every mile on the trail. On the way to Inyo, there is a great bakery in Bishop called Erick Schat’s Bakery, which has amazing breads, jams, sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Overall, trips to Inyo National Forest are a great experience.

Hume Lake, Sequoia National Forest

5. Hume Lake, California
Hume Lake is a beautiful lake, perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking. The view is amazing, and there are places all around the lake to sit and relax by the water. Something my friends and I love to do there is jump into the water off of the large rocks; it’s always so much fun. There is also a general store by the lake where you can get icees, milkshakes, ice cream, candy, soda, Hume Lake hoodies, and lots of other snacks and appliances you might need while camping. Hume Lake is beautiful and it is so much fun to camp at!

To conclude, these are my favorite places to camp at that I would absolutely recommend if you like camping, or even just traveling or sightseeing. I promise that you’ll have an amazing experience and see some gorgeous views!

-Lam T.

Study Tips for High Schoolers

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Finals season is almost here, and tests can be a lot to study for. However, with the right tools, you can make studying and taking tests a breeze. Here are a few helpful study tips and tricks that I learned.

The Pomodoro technique is a great tool to use when studying, and it’s a good way to get more done. First, you pick one task to complete. You next find a timer and set it for 25 minutes and work on the specific task until the timer rings. Next, take a short 5 minute break, and then repeat the process four times. After you have done this, you then take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This process greatly helped me with my studying and with my homework and made my schoolwork much easier in general, so be sure to try this the next time you study.

Another studying strategy that I found helpful was to make study guides. I write down the important ideas from a lesson or unit as well as terms and definitions, and then review it before a test so you are familiar with all of the important ideas. If you are given a synopsis for a unit, it will usually give many of the important ideas, so try to write these down on the study guide. Making these study guides made taking tests much easier, and they also make studying for finals easier, as they contain all the important information.

I also found it useful to spread out studying for the period of time before a test. Try to study every day or couple days. I also found it helpful to not cram the night before a test, as it is harder to learn the material and is not very helpful. Also, if you have vocabulary to learn, I would recommend reviewing it by making flash cards by hand or online on sites such as Quizlet.

Finally, I found using a planner or calendar extremely helpful. You can plan assignments and projects and break down your work and studying into manageable blocks, and I found this valuable, especially when working on large projects or assignments. Using a planner or calendar is also helpful for meeting deadlines with assignments, as well as keeping you organized. Overall, all of these study tips were very helpful for me and they’re sure to be useful for you as well, so be sure to use these the next time you’re studying for a test or project!

When I Fly Towards You Show Review

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When I Fly Towards You or 当我飞奔向你 is a romantic comedy Chinese television series that was released this year, 2023. It was adapted by a novel called She’s a Little Crazy and it is directed by Mao De Shu. It can be watched on streaming devices such as Netflix. It features the main actors, Zhou Yi Ran and Zhang Miao Yi who play the main characters, Su Zai Zai and Zhang Lurang.

The show starts off when the main character, Su Zai Zai sees Zhang Lurang at a convenience store on a rainy day and she falls in love with him. After a while, they meet again at Jiangyi High School, where they both attend. Su Zai Zai is cheerful while Zhang Lurang is cold and introverted due to his family issues and constantly being compared to his younger brother, who is a genius. Zai Zai, and her friend, Jiang Jia, join friend groups with Lurang, Gu Ran, and Guan Fang, who are friends with Zhang Lurang over the years, their friendships with each other strengthen, and the love between Zai Zai and Lurang bloom.

Honestly, I had planned to watch this show since my friends were talking about it months ago. I did not get the chance to due to my school work causing little free time, but thanks to Thanksgiving break, I had lots of free time. I used that time to finally start watching the show and I enjoyed watching it. I am not finished as of now but I’m nearing the end of the show.

I liked how the show showed the struggle of being constantly being compared to someone because personally, I have experienced being constantly being compared to someone. It’s not in academics specifically but another reason why and it’s so frustrating, so I liked how the show portrayed that. I also loved how the show showed us the struggle of unrequited love between Jiang Jia and Shen Qian Yu. However, I did not like how everyone in their friend group except for Guan Fang got together with someone they deserved because honestly, Guan Fang is my personal favorite. I loved his character and the way he took care of his grandmother. Overall, I really like this show and I definitely recommend watching it when you have free time!

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

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A classic by Arthur Conan Doyle is a novel any mystery lover must read. First published in 1887, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes follows an unrivaled detective and his many cases. The detective who lives on Baker Street applies both his forensic skills and outstanding intellect to every problem to find the truth. Every story has a unique twist and is portrayed in the eyes of Holmes’ companion, Dr. John Watson. 

I personally love mystery stories and found “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Man with the Twisted Lip” to be my favorite stories. “A Scandal in Bohemia” is the very first short story about Sherlock Holmes and introduces one of the very few female characters in the series, Irene Adler. I love Adler’s role in the story and she is portrayed as being intelligent and in Holmes’ eyes, unforgettable. “The Man with the Twisted Lip” contains intriguing descriptions and an unlikely twist that got my attention. The story is extremely engaging and kept me on my toes while reading. The layout of the novel is enjoyable too. I love short stories and chapters because it keeps me engaged and interested.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is special and unique, and no other mystery stories come close to this classic. Personally, I would recommend the novel to anyone who loves a good mystery book and is a fan of short stories. It is definitely a book that should be on every mystery reader’s list!

Kaiya T.

The Adventures of Sherlock Homes by Arthur Conan Doyle is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Strawberry Jam Recipe

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Time to make: 15 minutes

This is a very easy recipe for anyone looking to fulfill their sweet tooth! With only three ingredients, it takes 15 minutes to make.

Ingredients:

  • A box of fresh, ripe strawberries
  • A cup or more of sugar
  • Lemon or lime juice
  • Optional: Strawberry Gelatin and Lychee jelly

First you need to wash your strawberries under warm water and soak them in salt water for 3 minutes. After rinsing them off, dry them and begin cutting off the stems. Dice up the strawberries into inch wide cubes before putting them in a bowl and to the side. Heat up your sugar and lemon juice in a small pot. Slowly as they begin mixing, mix in an equal amount of water to your sugar and slowly have it boil on low heat. As it begins to bubble, dump in your strawberries and stir and keep it on heat until everything is nicely blended and thick.

Dump out your strawberry jam into an air tight container and top it with a thin layer of sugar. Overnight, chill it in your fridge. As you stir the remaining sugar in, dissolve a packet of strawberry gelatin in warm water and pour half of it in. If needed, add some lychee jelly. Enjoy!

Movie Review: Elemental

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* This review may contain spoilers

It was a Saturday night and I was roaming Disney+ and came across a fairly “new” Disney movie, Elemental. I had seen SO many ads about this movie but didn’t understand the concept and thought it would be boring. I was wrong.

Elemental follows two characters, Ember and Wade. As you may know fire and water don’t mix will and with Ember growing up in a dominant fire household and Wade being a water…you can see where things are going. Ember is presented as this hot-headed and ignorant person with a huge temper she has a hard time controlling. Her father wants her to take over the shop but Ember’s temper gets in the way when she gets annoyed by customers’ demands for certain items. While Ember struggles with maintaining this temper and trying to please her dad. Wade comes in while inspecting Ember’s shop and sees a lot of faults and reports it. This feud between Ember and Wade emerges as Ember tries not to get her dad’s shop closed but Wade is consistent with making sure it happens.

The movie goes into an unexpected rom-com where the two have found a comfort in spending time with one another and learning about each other’s lives (being a fire and a water). They grow their love and open their perspectives of the elements and not to judge so harshly based on traditional beliefs.

This movie was unexpectedly better than I had anticipated and I found it so cute that it tied to showing the importance of family but also understanding. I think a lot can be learned from this movie for younger kids to pick up on, which was great on Disney’s part.

-Madison C.

September 17 Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers

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Today I went to an Angels game against the Detroit Tigers. I went to the game with my mom and my sister again. And these were the results of the game.

Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup:

  1. Matt Vierling: Left Field
  2. Andy Ibanez: Second Base
  3. Spencer Torkelson: First Base
  4. Kerry Carpenter: Right Field
  5. Jake Rogers: Catcher
  6. Tyler Nevin: Third Base
  7. Javier Baez: Designated Hitter
  8. Zack Short: Shortstop
  9. Parker Meadows: Center Field

Game Results:

Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Angels

5-3

Balls and Autographs from Players and Coaches:

  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Angels Relief Pitcher #44 Ben Joyce.
  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Angels Relief Pitcher #53 Carlos Esteves.
  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Angels Staff Assitant #93 Jason Brown.
  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Tigers Relief Pitcher #68 Jason Foley.
  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Tigers Catching Coach #88 Tim Federwicz.
  • An autograph on my sister’s tee-ball glove by Carlos Esteves, Jason Foley, and Tim Federwicz.

Ben Joyce is an Angels Relief Pitcher who can throw the baseball 105 miles per hour. Last year he was at Tennessee University and threw 10 pitches that were faster than 103 miles per hour. That is a great achievement to have as a pitcher because this shows that he throws really hard. Normal pitchers usually throw around 95 miles per hour but Ben Joyce throws 10 miles per hour harder than normal pitchers.

Spirited Away Movie Review

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A little girl named Chihiro travels too far into an alluring village where spirits and creatures come to rest. She encounters a boy named Haku, who is human. He says he forgot his name and warns that if she does, she will never be able to return home. To escape this strange realm, Haku tells her to get a job at a spa house for spirits where humans work. She meets creatures of all kinds, finds love, and helps restore peace with her extraordinary courage. With all these fantastical experiences, does she still want to go home?

Spirited Away is an elegant, wondrous journey into the fantasy world of Studio Ghibli. Directed by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki, it’s no wonder that it’s considered one of the greatest animated films ever made. It has won many prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and the Golden Bear.

This film teaches about the dangers of greed. While everyone around Chihiro seems to want money and fame, she just wants to protect the people she loves. In the end, her motivation outlasts the others, and she saves her family and friends. It also warns people against forgetting who they are. In the movie, the spirits call Chihiro different names to try and make her forget her real one. Despite their attempts, she remains confident in who she is and never loses sight of why she is there. I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves movies with intricate meanings and different interpretations. When every scene looks like a painting, it’s hard not to fall in love with Spirited Away.

Spirited Away is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

ALBUM REVIEW – The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We

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On September 15, Mitski Miyawaki, known as Mitski, released her most recent album, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” to the world. 

Mitski first self-released her albums “Lush” and “Retired from Sad, New Career in Business” as a senior project… which later became her breakthrough in music. Like many of Mitski’s songs, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” pulls listeners in to cry, to remember, and to most of all: to remember what it’s like to feel human. 

Bug Like An Angel

Mitski’s first song on the track, “Bug Like An Angel” takes themes of religion and alcoholism and intertwines the two with broken promises. It’s certainly a bittersweet beginning to her album, accompanied by a new sense of maturity and softness in her sound. A choir accompanies Mitski’s voice during the chorus, illustrating a “familial-feel” to her words, as if drinking reminds the singer of family. “Bug Like An Angel” is a sad beginning to this album, but a beautiful tragedy, pulling the listener in. 

Buffalo Replaced

“Buffalo Replaced” feels almost country-like, personally. The title, “Buffalo Replaced” references how a buffalo is known for stampedes. However, all animals, all buffalos start to slow down, only to be replaced. Hey, perhaps nature and society aren’t so different. But through this song, Mitski describes a hope for self-confidence and self-will — the desires to break free from the shackles of society. Combined with Mitski’s delicate vocals, this song is a perfect sob-song. 

Heaven

The third song, “Heaven” combines a similar country feel as to “Buffalo Replaced” but with a classical, orchestral tone. Immediately, this song screams intimacy and love, though not explicitly raunchy. My favorite part of this song is the repetitive “oohs” in the post-chorus. It’s delicate, soft, and soothing. Accompanied by the song’s title, “Heaven”, the simple sound mimics a church hymn, you know? I think the simplicity of the repeated word makes Mitski’s lyrics stand out further — it’s like saying, listen to me. I’m lamenting. And I’m in love. 

I Don’t Like My Mind

The way “I Don’t Like My Mind” starts immediately got me. Lyrics thrown in your face, a desperate plea for help from self-destruction. Imagine it’s a late night, and sleep is hard to attain. Always in your grasp, never in your arms. What are you to do, other than embrace your regrets as if they weren’t hurtful? “I Don’t Like My Mind” illustrates the subject of regret, self-destruction, and distraction. Honestly, I enjoy this song! It’s soft, quiet, and better than my own thoughts at midnight. 

The Deal

Mitski is renowned for believing life would be easier without a soul, without hope, without love… though it eats at her. “The Deal” describes a poetic version of giving up your soul. When the singer gave up their soul, they lost their pain and regrets. But they lost their happiness, too. I relate to this song on an academic level. I have many regrets, fears, and some days I want to let go of everything. And some days, I do feel I have something to live for, to embrace, to love.

When Memories Snow

“When Memories Snow” describes the act of “shoveling” (and/or repressing) memories, damaging the singer’s mental state. Oddly, this song is accompanied by an upbeat, almost danceable beat, yet I think it matches the theme perfectly. You want to appear okay. You want to appear happier and free. You can barely hear Mitski’s voice through the loud instruments — you can barely hear yourself through the persona you display. I’ll be singing this in the shower while I sob my heart out. 

My Love Mine All Mine

“My Love Mine All Mine” embodies the love of the narrator and manifests it into the moon, with the desire that their love will carry on through their death. The song feels almost jazzy and gentle, complemented by Mitski’s melodic vocals. Although nothing much is permanent (except death and taxes), perhaps love is the only thing you can keep. Perhaps it’s the only bittersweet, delicate, painful thing you can keep. Like many of her songs, I wish this one were just a minute longer. 

The Frost

“The Frost” is somewhat jazzy, somewhat danceable in its instrumental. Illustrating the motif of loneliness and the loss of connections, I feel most will relate to the song. Humans have a desire for connection. The singer describes being alone as a reality rather than a choice. The lyrics include a lot of possessive language — “this house is mine alone; the world is mine alone.” Is this the only thing the singer can have? I vibe with this. It’s another sob-song, and I appreciate that. Hug your friends. 

Star

The beginning of “Star” feels eerie. The instruments, scary and foreboding, build up for an impact. Compiling feelings of fallout and memories, Mitski describes the platonic love you may feel towards a partner after you fall out of love. Through your memories, you relive your experiences with this person. Is this passion, once lost, worth holding onto? Is the faint glow of the “Star” worth mending their relationship? I enjoyed this song! My favorite part was the buildup towards the end of the chorus, an explosion of sound and volume. 

I’m Your Man

“I’m Your Man” is rather heartbreaking. Have you ever put someone on a pedestal? Perhaps your crush? I know many of my friends picture their crushes as perfect, angelic beings. Until they make a mistake, and suddenly their infatuation turns sour. Suddenly, love seems so difficult. Mitski expresses her sorrow through her words, her lungs, her singing, and I think it stands out. Not my favorite song, but I enjoyed it!

I Love Me After You

“I Love Me After You” illustrates an eerily haunting story about self-love and improvement, described through a series of self-care practices and realizations. “Nothing in the world belongs to me but my love” from “My Love Mine All Mine” is a sharp contrast to this song. Finally, the singer believes they are capable of being loved, and loving themselves. Additionally, this song includes the lyrics “I’m king of all the land”, a reference to the album title “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.” Mitski is the king of the land. Something belongs to her. 

Combining sentiments of melancholy, bitter emotions, and delicate epiphanies, Mitski weaves a beautiful, raw sound with the acoustic/quiet nature of her music. 

You can stream “The Land is Inhospitable And So Are We” on any streaming platform. Bring your tissues — it’s Mitski.