#37 The best of 2020

Highlights of 2020 include the BLM movement, Among us, Tik Tok dances, and of course, the Covid-19 pandemic. The black lives matter movement is a movement formed in the United States dedicated to fighting racism towards black people. Among us became a popular game all of a sudden due to famous people on twitch playing, and because we were all home bored, everyone decided to hop on the trend. Everyone also started learning Tik Tok dances because they were bored at home, and Covid-19 is the cause for that.

#36 Thanksgiving Break

 The warm scent of freshly baked sweet potatoes and the toasty crunch of gooey marshmallows perfectly sum up my Thanksgiving break: warm and comforting. This Thanksgiving break, I got to spend time with my family and reflect back on what I am thankful for, as well as foster a dog in need. Due to Covid-19, my family and I stayed home this year and made our own food, whereas we would usually go to a friend's house. We had roasted chicken, sweet potatoes with marshmallow, homemade bread, and more. 2020 has been a rollercoaster, and during the break I reflected back and realized how lucky I am to have my family. All in all, Thanksgiving break was awesome and stress-free, and allowed me to realize what I'm thankful for.

#35 strange Thanksgiving dishes in each state

 I looked up frog eye salad from Colorado, and it turns out that they don't actually use real frog eye. It's a type of pasta topped with canned fruits, egg custard, and whipped topping. My family doesn't really have any special Thanksgiving foods, but my favorite food that my dad makes is sweet potato with toasted marshmallows on top. It's super good and it's my favorite Thanksgiving dish of all time. I'm perfectly fine with our thanksgiving meal, and don't think anything about it needs to be changed. Turkey, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and gravy, etc. are really delicious in my opinion.

#34 Tales From the Teenage Cancel Culture

 Yar, Sanam and Engel Bromwich, Jonah "Tales from the Teenage Cancel Culture" The New York Times 2 November 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/style/cancel-culture.html

The first article really stood out to me, as the person who "cancelled" others did it because she felt that what they were doing was wrong. I think that it is totally reasonable for her to do so, because after all, the song they were listening to was sung by a person "known for being a pedophile" and many other things. As a black woman, it was really uncomfortable to her.

I have "cancelled" multiple people in my life, but not for very big situations. I think that it is ok for me to do, because if I'm not comfortable around them then I don't wanna talk and be with them. Most of the times though, I will give people a second chance.

#33 Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine: Things You Need to Know

 Zimmer, Carl and Thomas, Katie "Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine: Things You Need to Know"  The New York Times 10 November 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine?surface=home-discovery-vi-prg&fellback=false&req_id=590299614&algo=identity&imp_id=758991495&action=click&module=Science%20%20Technology&pgtype=Homepage

I feel hopeful about the news of the Covid-19 vaccine, because maybe things will go back to how they were before and I won't have to be cooped up in my house 24/7. What surprised me most about the vaccine is how fast it got produced, because I was expecting it to take longer and have a lot of problems needed to be fixed, but according to the article "The early analysis suggests the vaccine is 90 percent effective" (Zimmer). That is a really high number considering we've only been in quarantine for around six months and they have already produced this vaccine. Some potential issues of the vaccine may be that it could have side effects on the human or it may not be accessible to everyone.

#32 Where do we go from here?

 https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000007442400/biden-trump-presidential-election.html?smid=pl-share

As of November 9th, President Trump still hasn't conceded the election, and wants all the votes to be counted. I think that he should just accept that he had lost this election, because Joe Biden won it by a landslide. I think that many Trump supporters will be mad that he lost, and probably start protesting but eventually things will settle down and they will accept that former vice president Joe Biden is now their president.

I hope that the new administration will put COVID-19 first, because while there are many problems, coronavirus appears to be the most alarming due to the amount of deaths and a new lifestyle. I think that because Joe Biden got elected, more people will have their rights and the country will be more equal, and he will also do something about climate change.

#31 DOOMSCROLLING

 I do doomscroll, and I think that it has affected me a lot because I don't go outside that much anymore and do fun stuff. I go swimming from Monday-Thursday, but that's pretty much it. I sometimes go on a walk with my family on the weekends but that's mostly it. Something that I really enjoy doing to reduce my screen time and actually be involved with something is fostering dogs, but homework and other things have come in the way so I only do it sometimes. I think that doomscrolling is a pretty unhealthy habit that's super addicting, but I try my best to do other things.

#30 election reflection

 I think that the election is really important, as it determines the fate of our entire country. The election will really affect everyone in the US, and other countries too. I predict that Joe Biden will win, but things could change really you never know because things can happen. I'm worried mostly about women's rights, LGBTQ, BLM, abortion rights, COVID-19, and many other things, but at the moment mostly COVID-19. I hope that if Biden wins, then he could handle the situation much more professionally and with more care.

#29 Music’s Dirty Secret: Censorship Is Good Business

 Sisario, Ben "Music’s Dirty Secret: Censorship Is Good Business" The New York Times 27 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/arts/music/clean-versions-explicit-songs.html

I prefer the unedited version of a song, mainly because the edited version sounds weird and I'm fine with songs having bad words and other stuff because it's just a song. Even the article states that "A golden age of self-censorship followed, with profanities and violent lyrics often simply deleted — leaving hit songs dotted with brief silences, like holes. 'We used to call it Swiss cheese'"(Sisario). My parents don't really have any rules to what I listen to, mostly because I usually don't listen to songs with bad words and I listen to chill songs. I think that the parents should make decisions to what their kids listen to, but also give them a little freedom.

#28 Americans Surge to Polls: ‘I’m Going to Vote Like My Life Depends on It’

 Corasantiti, Nick and Saul, Stephanie "Americans Surge to Polls: ‘I’m Going to Vote Like My Life Depends on It’" The New York Times 31 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/31/us/politics/early-voting.html

When I am old enough, I will vote, and I will vote every four years. I think voting is important because according to the article, "public polls showed the two candidates engaged in a tight race... Mr. Trump over Hillary Clinton by five points"(Corasantiti). Although one vote may not make that huge of an impact, added up together will help a lot. Voting is a great way for your voice to be heard which is why I will vote. I think that so many people have voted in this election already because like me, they want their opinion to matter.

#27 Dialects

I think that the way you talk does say a lot about where you are from. I took the test, and I got California, so I think that it's pretty accurate. My parents are from Hong Kong, and I am from San Diego but I don't think I picked up much Hong Kong so I'm Californian. I would not want to change my dialect.

#26 After a seven month wait, this tourist got Machu Picchu all to himself

 May, Tiffany and Ueno, Hisako "After a Seventh Month wait, This Tourist got Machu Picchu all to Himself" The New York Times 13 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/world/americas/machu-picchu-japan-tourist-coronavirus.html

If I could have a world famous destination all to myself, I would choose Hong Kong, because that's where my family is from. Hong Kong is known for being very crowded, and having really high buildings because of this. There are so many fun places there like ocean park, Disneyland, and Victoria Harbour. One of my favorite places is a small island called Tai O, and they sell lots of yummy foods (mostly seafood). The buildings are on water, and we even spotted some dolphins there.

I prefer going on trips with my family, because that's a big part of the experience. Without them, I won't have money first of all, but they also make the trip exciting and always plan exciting things to do. My sister makes the plane rides bearable too.

#25 Nothing extraordinary

 Kim, Jennifer "Nothing Extraordinary" The New York Times 7 January 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/learning/personal-narrative-essay-winners.html#link-7257e973

I think the most powerful moment in Jennifer's story is when she comes to realization. She realizes that her mother cares so much for her and says that "Her clothes were tattered and old because she spent so much money buying me new ones. She looked so tired and ragged all the time because she was busy working to provide for me" (Kim). Jennifer was used to being ashamed of her mother for not being anything outstanding, but she realizes that it's because her mother would sacrifice it for her. She suddenly feels so grateful for her mother and ashamed of herself. It really is a powerful moment.

When Jenifer describes her shame by writing "I felt like I've been dropped into a cold lake" I feel that it very much resonates with me. Whenever I regret something I did or I feel ashamed I kinda feel shocked, like jumping into a cold pool.

#24 Return Looted Art to Former Colonies, Dutch Committee Tells Government

 Moses, Claire "Return Looted Art to Former Colonies, Dutch Committee Tells Government" The New York Times 9 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/arts/design/dutch-restitution-report.html

I believe that museums should have to return things that were stolen, looted, or taken with the threat of violence because honestly it's just logical that people shouldn't steal (unless they have to for some reason) and if they do, they should return it. In the article by the New York Times, it states that "The main principle remains the same: 'what was stolen should be returned' (Moses). There's no reason why a person should steal things just to keep in their museum, because it wasn't theirs to keep. They should at least ask first.

I think that if museums have looted art and artifacts in their collections, they should let everyone know. It's just like if a person were buying something, they would want to know  that where they got it from is a legit place and not a scam. Same with museums people want to know what they are looking at and learning about.

#23 Do You Care Who Sits on the Supreme Court? Should We Care?

 Nicole Daniels and Shannon Doyne, Michael Gonchar "Do You Care Who Sits on the Supreme Court? Should We Care?" The New York Times 14 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/learning/do-you-care-who-sits-on-the-supreme-court-should-we-care.html

I do not think about the supreme court at all if I'm being honest, and I don't really care either. I'm not familiar with any of the rulings, and maybe it does have a little bit of an affect on me, my friends, and my family's life, but overall I feel like my life is gonna be the same either way. In the article, it states that "The fight whether Judge Barrett belongs on the Supreme Court will underscore the country's deep divisions about gender roles, rights for L.G.B.T.Q. people, abortion, workplace issues, and health care"(Daniels). I believe that this statement is way too overexaggerated, because even if she does get chosen, people are still going to have the same beliefs as before and it won't make them change the way they feel. For example, people who are against LGBTQ are going to stay that way, and they won't change their mind.

#22 Everything I Know About Elite America I Learned From ‘Fresh Prince’ and ‘West Wing’

 Henderson, Rob "Everything I Know About Elite America I Learned From ‘Fresh Prince’ and ‘West Wing’" The New York Times 10 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/10/opinion/sunday/television-culture.html

Many times, TV will overexaggerate things which would never happen in reality. When I was younger, I wouldn't watch TV because I was scared to (I was scared of everything) or I just didn't care. The only things I used to watch when I was younger is Mickey mouse clubhouse, Dora the explorer, and oomie zoomies.I feel like the younger you are, the more you are vulnerable to be influenced by things, like TV. Now, I have Netflix and I can literally watch anything so I feel like I am more influenced. For example, Netflix makes high schoolers seem like they don't have to worry about homework, they just have to be cool and popular when that's not really the reality. 

I think that TV gets many things wrong. As stated above, high schoolers in movies always care about how they look, and don't have any homework. According to High School Musical, people break out to a song every five seconds, and you can group chat the entire school?? It really set my expectations high for high school, but no. High school is just like any other grade. They also promote many stereotypes such as Asians are the Nerdy kids, black people are good at sports, etc.

#21 Is the Electoral College a problem?

 Wegman, Jesse "Is the Electoral College a problem?' 7 October 2020 https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000007319217/electoral-college-abolish-eliminate.html?action=click&gtype=vhs&version=vhs-heading&module=vhs&region=title-area&cview=true&t=444

I think that that because the electoral college has elected a president who did not win the popular vote twice in the past 20 years, the system is broken. Even though it was only two out of five rounds, that still is a lot and something needs to change in order for it to be zero out of five.

I agree that the "winner takes all" system is undemocratic and unfair because even if a state wins by one vote, then the whole state will go to one president, which makes the ones that voted for the other president not count. Voting is supposed to be be about everyone getting a say in their country, and not being left out. The "winner takes all" system prevents that from happening.

#20 Are the presidential debates helpful to voters?

Nicole Daniels and Michael Gonchar, Are Presidential Debates Helpful to Voters? Or should they be Scrapped? The New York Times 7 October 2020

The original purpose of the presidential debates were to help voters decide who they wanted to vote for as the next president, but now "the debates have devolved into 'professional wrestling matches' that reward snappy combacks" (Daniels). Even though the debates nowadays are a mess, me and my family still watch them. I think that they are very entertaining and because I'm not old enough to vote, I just watch them for fun.

A poll from Monmouth University found that 74% of voters were going to watch the debate, and that only 3% of them thought they were likely to hear something that will change their vote. To be honest, I would've thought there would be less people. This is because, if I were allowed to vote, I would already have my heart set on one candidate, and the debate is just saying things I already know about them but in a more "trying to convince me" manner. Plus, the debates are so chaotic, and most of it is just yelling and roasting each other, and the moderator trying to settle everything down.

#19 The fattest bears in Alaska want your vote

Diaz, Johnny "The fattest bears in Alaska want your Vote" The New York Times 6 October 2020

 I voted for 747 because it looked the biggest and fattest. Even though number 32 looked super fat, 747 looked like it couldn't even move due to how fat it was. It's belly looked like it was touching the ground! I also think that gaining that much weight in such a short amount of time is incredible, because 747 used to look pretty skinny.

If I were at a local park such as Torrey Pines beach, I would definitely use this method to attract more people and raise interest. For example, people could vote what animal found in the ocean could be their "spirit animal" or they could do a competition for beach cleanup. People could then vote who wins and they could get a prize.

#18 if I could change one thing in the world

If I could change one thing in the world, I would actually get rid of backyard/irresponsible breeders, and puppy mills. I know there are a lot of other things in this world that could change, but I chose this because I think more people need to be aware. These backyard breeders only care about making profit from an animal, but don't actually care about its well-being. They typically don't receive proper care, and if nobody wants them then they will get euthanized. It's also very dangerous for a dog to overbreed. Dogs in puppy mills get locked in a cage 24/7, and are often very sick. These are still legal in most states. Many places sell their dogs from puppy mills such as pet stores, so when choosing a dog to adopt you need to make sure you get from preferably a rescue or shelter, but if not, a responsible breeder. Dog shelters don't always have space for dogs, so eventually, they will need to get rid of some of them. Overpopulation of dogs is a serious issue and needs to be addressed.