Fresh Pickings!

All Students:  Be sure to read the entries for this group  (February writers).  Everyone is required to comment on at least THREE different pieces of writing.  You must post the comment here on the blog (below the post is the "comments" link to click) AND cut and paste your published comments, complete with dates and time stamps, on to a Word document and turn it in to me by March 5, on Google Classroom.  You must do both to get credit for comments this month.

Remember, comments must be positive, supportive, constructive, and SPECIFIC.  No "Good Job!" comments, unless you follow that with specific things you thought were done well in the piece.  Show them you actually took the time to read and enjoy their work!

"The Talent Show Auditions " by Aleeyah S

“Did you guys hear that next month is the school talent show? Do you think that I should try out Karlie?” which I heard while eavesdropping into Jessica and Karlie’s conversation. I looked at the clock for the 3rd time already hoping that 2:55 would come so I could go home for the day. 10 minutes later which felt like forever, the bell rang and everyone packed up. While I was packing up, I couldn’t help but think about Jessica and Karlie’s conversation about the school talent show. I knew that I wasn’t going to try out or anything but the thought of it distracted me. As I walked out of the classroom I saw my best friend Treasure waiting for me at the door so that we could walk to the bus stop together. “Paris have you heard about the talent show? Everyone is talking about it!” I nodded my head but I didn’t really want to talk about it so I changed the subject. “Yeah... but today in class when Bryce walked past me we made eye contact. I swear it was a connection.” we both chuckled and then hustled to the bus stop so that we wouldn't be late. The bus came and then dropped us off at our destinations. When I got home I ran to my room and went on instagram. Right when I opened instagram I saw a flyer that said “Don’t miss out on your opportunity to show your best talents! If you are interested , go to the auditorium after school tomorrow.” Yes I absolutely loved singing and was pretty good at it but, I could never go in front of the entire school and perform. I could barely sing in front of 3 people without sweating like a pig, let alone the entire school. The next day at school I felt like I walked into America’s Got Talent because everyone was preparing for tryouts. I even walked past Jessica singing the Star Spangled Banner. She was a little pitchy but that was none of my concern. The bell then rang to go to first period and everyone ran to class like it was some race. “I hope you are not trying out Paris because if you perform how you look then I wouldn’t recommend it.” Everyone around giggled and sat down in their assigned seats. I was so embarrassed but I ignored Jessica’s rude comment because Bryce was near and I didn’t want to humiliate myself anymore. Bryce then looked at me and said “Hey Paris are you trying out for the talent show?” I looked at him and couldn’t quite get any words out because I was focusing on his perfect teeth and beautiful curls. “Yes she is.” My friend Treasure said as if I couldn’t speak for myself. Or maybe I couldn’t, at least not at the moment. I just nodded agreeing with her not realizing what I had gotten myself into. “Greater than I guess I’ll see you at tryouts” he said smiling. Tryouts?! It then hit me that I agreed to try out for the school talent show and now I was more nervous than ever. All day I thought about my situation playing out different scenarios in my head. Maybe I can just say I forgot there were tryouts, or maybe I can say my fish died and I had to go home and take care of it, or maybe I can just suck it up and sing Best Part by HER. None of these are my dream choices but I think that I am just going to try out with Best Part and see what happens. Normally I want the day to go by fast so that I could go home but today I was hoping the clock took it’s time. When the bell rang everyone ran out the door and created a line by the auditorium. I decided that before lining up I would use the restroom. I went to the restroom and then became even more nervous than before so I came to the conclusion that my fish died. As I walked out the restroom I bumped into Bryce. “Hey Paris I was about to be on my way to the auditorium. Did you want to walk together?” I smiled and said “sure let’s

go” As we walked Byrce looked at me and said “So what song are you singing?” I glanced to the floor and then said that I would be singing the song Best Part by H.E.R. Byrce then got really excited and told me that he was going to be playing that same song on his acoustic guitar. Wow we even think alike! Byrce then asked me if I wanted to sing while he played the guitar. I mean I couldn’t really say no. “Yeah sure,” I murmured. As we walked to the auditorium I set my bags down and Byrce and I waited in line. In my mind I was thinking of excuses to tell Byrce that I couldn't perform until the last minute.... We were next in line for tryouts. “Goodluck!” Byrce smiled as we walked into the auditorium. The judges didn’t really say much except for, “Go when you're ready.” I wasn’t ready at all but I guess this was the most ready I would ever be. Bryce began to play the chords and I closed my eyes while holding the microphone with my sweaty palms. As I sang I forgot that I was even standing in the room and began to drift into my own world. Right when I heard the chords stop I was done and when I opened my eyes there were so many people that I didn’t even notice standing there. I did it! The judges started clapping really loud and Byrce ran up to me and hugged me. Jessica stormed out the door with her friends. But I didn’t even care, I accomplished my worst fear. I accomplished The Talent Show Auditions.

"How to Make a Seafood Boil " by Hazel K

Food has always been an integral part of my upbringing. Every holiday members of my family come together and celebrate with laughter and a good meal. This year I was given the task of making the first meal of the new year. This may seem like an intimidating task but I have never been one to fold when faced with a challenge. Don’t get me wrong I was a bit worried because my family is made up of some of the toughest critics I know but, I was excited to get started. Since I was the one cooking I got to decide what to prepare and I decided to make a seafood boil. This being my first time preparing a boil I did make a few mistakes but altogether it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. Here is a loose translation of what I did. 

What you will need: 20-quart pan
Skillet
16 cups of water
3 King crabs legs
2lbs of snow crab
1lb of tiger shrimp
1lb of shrimp (any kind) 1lb of scallops
1 pack of corn
1 bag of small red potatoes
8 lime
butter Garlic cloves
I large onion
1 Zatarain bag
1 bottle Zatarian seasoning
Lemon pepper seasoning
Seasoning salt
Cajun seasoning
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Old bay

Instructions:
Begin by filling the pan with 16 cups of water once filled turn on the stove to medium-high heat while the water is boiling begin rinsing the seafood. When cleaning the seafood use cold water and thoroughly clean items be sure to use special care with shrimp. Once you are finished washing the seafood check on your water if it is boiling proceed if not continue waiting. Once the water begins boiling, add the seasonings. Start by cutting 6 limes and 1 large onion add this to the pot once done with this add 1 Zatarain package and 2 caps of Zatarain seasoning. After you have added these items close the pot and let it sit for a few minutes.Open the pot and begin to season the broth. (I have added a few seasoning I use above but feel free to use your own) As you are seasoning be sure to continue tasting the broth, this is very important. When you have finished adding all spices and the broth is to your liking, it is time to add the corn and potatoes. They should be the first things added to the broth because they take the most time when

cooking. After giving the potatoes and corn an appropriate amount to cook, it is now time to add the seafood. This may seem like the easiest part but if done incorrectly you can be left with a giant mess. Start by slowly adding the king crab legs to the broth followed by the snow crab, lastly add the shrimp do not overflow the pot remember you can always make a second batch. Once you have added all the seafood to the pot place the lid on top and let it sit for about ten minutes, check on the boil periodically to make sure it does not overcook. While that is cooking get a skillet out because it is time to prepare your scallops. Turn the fire to medium-low heat add the slice of butter to your pan, let it melt, Place the scallops in the pan. Add your seasoning onto the scallops allow it time to cook flip the scallops and allow her to cook on the other side. Place the scallops into the boil. By this time the boil should be done cooking, give it a quick stir and remove it from the pot. 

Garlic Butter Sauce
After you have made this amazing seafood you might just want to call it a day and enjoy the meal you’ve just slaved over, but if you're anything like me you will enjoy the meal 10 times better with a nice sauce to go along with it.

What you will need:
1 saucepan
2sticks of unsalted butter
2.5 tablespoons Garlic powder
1.5 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoons parsley
.5 tablespoons Cayenne pepper
1 lime

Add the butter in the pan and place it on low heat to allow the butter to melt, as it is melting begin adding your spices. Once the butter is completely melted and the spices are fully incorporated squeeze your lime and it is ready to be served. In my experience this quick and easy recipe is worth the time. Hope you enjoy it!

“Green Tea” by Kayla M.

     As I walked with Ari, one of my closest friends, for a few moments I forgot about the heartbreak. Then we happened to come across the same spot that caused all of my memories to flood back into my mind. At that same table at starbucks, we shared so many secrets and made so many memories. I always bought vanilla bean, and he always got green tea. In a moment I flashed back to our first visit. We walked here after school. It wasn’t a long walk, it was perfect. I was so nervous the first time because I was only a freshman. I was still afraid of breaking any rules too. Aside from this, I secretly had the biggest crush on my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Our moms had also been great friends before we were born so naturally, we were raised together, but it didn’t take long to develop real feelings. I could never let him know. I didn’t think he liked me the same way.
     Ari noticed my mood shift as we walked past the same starbucks that housed so many memories. We continued inside to finish some homework and spotted the same road that my best friend and I used to walk along too. There’s this big ravine with a little hole that we used to try and throw rocks into. He was pretty close most of the time, and I was not. In the blink of an eye he replaced Ari. He bent down to pick up a good sized stone, as did I. He turned to see what I had picked up. “Well no wonder you never make it! A small rock like that ought to get carried away.” I shook my head. “And with what wind?” I countered. I went first and chucked the little stone towards the dirt hole. It landed a little short with a thud. He went next and made it in. Finally. He jumped up with excitement. “Oh! Did you see that? What did I tell you? What did I tell you?” He teased. I smiled at how happy he was and shook my head. “Shut up.” I said laughing. “You only got lucky. But You couldn’t make it again if you tried.” I said. He raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? And what if I threw you?” I thought he was joking. That is until he swept me off my feet. Literally.
     Ari and I found a table at the starbucks. “Listen, I know it sucks, I just want you to know that I’m here for you.” I didn’t look at her. I was afraid she’d notice the tears welling up in my eyes. “Thank you, but I just need some time...” I told her, staying silent.
     Suddenly, I was sitting in my bed texting him. I had just gotten into a huge fight with my parents and tears were streaming down my cheeks. But he could make me smile like it was easy. We eventually fell asleep sometime around 4am. The next day after school, I was waiting for my ride to pick me up when he stopped by in his car. “Get in.” He told me. The next thing I knew, we were at Baskin Robbins eating ice scream and laughing at the silliest little things. Those were the moments that I know I’ll never forget.
     Then as easily as the good times came, they left. He met someone, and they hit it off. But she was a snake. He never saw the bad she did, she only revealed the good to him. She started getting jealous and slowly worked her poison into our lives. I still remember the night so

vividly that he texted me at 12:30am. He asked if I was awake, and I responded. The next words broke my heart. He said, “I’m crying.” Then I started crying. I asked why and he responded saying that his new girlfriend was mad at him, and he wouldn’t give me a reason. I remember trying my best to lift his spirits while I was trying to hold myself together. My mom came in and asked what was wrong. I told her I didn’t understand why I would be hurting so much over my best friend crying. And she uttered the words I’ll never forget. “Because you love him.”
     July 3, 2018, she set me up. His girlfriend texted me from his phone pretending to be him asking if I had feelings for him. I thought maybe this time I could be brave. For the first time, I’d tell the truth because this was the only thing I ever lied to him about. After all these years and late nights, we had come to tell each other everything, so when we ran out of things to talk about, we played silly games. But this time I wanted to tell him the truth, and I did. I told him that I had feelings for him, and I had for a while, but I didn’t want to ruin anything for him. But he texted back saying that I was blocked, and that was when I understood. She then messaged me separately threatening that if I ever tried to contact him again, I would regret it.
     At the time, I never believed he would give into this. He was my best friend, I was his, and he would figure this out with her. Later that night, I got a call. His name lit up on the screen and I eagerly answered the phone. “Hello?...Hello?” Nothing. I heard nothing on the other side, then it hung up. That was the last time he would ever reach out to me. I’ll never understand why he never came back to me. And my heart was shattered into a million pieces.
     “What would you like to order?” The cashier at starbucks interrupted my flashback as I snapped back to reality. “I’d like a green tea please.”

"All Part of the Learning Process" by Kaylyn H

      I remember my first heartbreak. It was the most awful thing in the world with this
boy we’ll call Fin. Fin and I were friends first, best friends in fact. We had a group we all sat with and hung around, since we were all in the same extracurricular activity. Of course everyone in the group made each other laugh, but we had the best connection. Fin and I made each other experience that pain at your sides laugh like no other, but everything changed once he moved away. We admitted we liked each other after he officially moved out of the city, and my naive self thought a long distance relationship would be easy, so I plunged right into it. We Facetimed everyday and texted nonstop to the point where we would run out of things to talk about. It was great for a while, until it wasn't. The talking on the phone started to slow, the texting wasn’t as frequent. Being the person I am, I was concerned. If there was an issue, I wanted to fix it.
     However, he had different plans. He broke it off, and I was devastated. It was so cliché looking back on it now; I was crying on the bathroom floor and felt like it was the end of the world. When something causes me emotional stress, I feel nauseous and my stomach physically can’t hold food down. It got to the point where it was so bad that I couldn’t tell the difference between pain from hunger and actual pain. My Mom and I

ended up going to the doctors, and they ended up telling me nothing was wrong with me. I went to Sizzlers afterwards just to have an allergic reaction to something there and had to go back. To this day, I still won’t step foot in a Sizzler’s.
     Anyway, this was the start of a chain of events that happened afterward but still considered completely normal. I’ve dated other people, learning a new lesson with each one. Learning it’s not healthy to be completely focused on them 100% of the time. You’ll end up losing yourself and won’t know how to live without them. You shouldn’t go into another relationship quickly to ease the pain after a breakup. It really just stunts your growth as a person. When you see toxic signs dont ignore them; a little independence is good in a relationship. But the most important lesson I’ve learnt is to know your worth. Don't settle for less than what you know you deserve. I’m human; I haven't been perfect in these relationships, but it’s all part of the learning process. With each relationship you have, whether it be a friendship or relationship, you learn something new, and that's the most beautiful part of it.
     Although it hurts, although it feels like your world is crashing down, in the end, it all turns out okay. In 2 years, you won't even remember what all those fights were about or all those memories you used to cry about. All that's left is the lesson you learnt from it and how they made you feel; you learn what you can and can’t deal with and what you want or is necessary in a person you're interested in. I don't regret any of the relationships I’ve been in. I wish them nothing but the best, but I’m also grateful that I was able to be apart of their life for that split moment and be a lesson for them as they were to me.

"Effects of Alcoholism" by Leah M

     One of the most important things that someone can do for their family is just to spend time with them. Sometimes you don’t exactly get the opportunity and when something happens, you can really start to regret it. I come from a very big family with a total of, now, 10 aunt and uncles, and over 150 cousins just on my moms side. Having a big family is really amazing because you have a lot of people there for you and to spend time with when it comes to holidays. You learn how to forgive and forget, get along with each other, grow and learn, and be grateful for what you have been given. But when you have a big family and everyone starts to get older, you become more aware of the idea of death. Growing up, me and my uncle were very close. He lived nearby so we visited almost every chance we could. The fact that he and his wife could never have children after 30 years of marriage made him treat me as if I was his own daughter. In spanish, we call our aunts and uncles tia’s and tio’s, but in this case he was my nino. A nino is an uncle who becomes a godparent after birth that looks after you if anything should happen. I received nothing but love from my nina and nino and gave them the same in return. Unfortunately, my uncle had a very bad drinking problem that was very hard to overcome. He ended up in the hospital many times due to liver failure but recovered each time. The last time he was in the recovery room, they told him that if he drank again he could possibly die. In late 2017, he and my aunt came into a situation where they were able to adopt a newborn son. This new life motivated my uncle to want to do better and stop drinking once and for all for he now had another reason to live. One day, after many months passed from the last time he was in the hospital, he thought his body could handle just one glass of wine. He was wrong. He fell on the ground and was immediately admitted to the emergency room. When we all found out, we were devastated because we knew this may be the last time we could see him. He was in the hospital for about a month. I really wanted to go and see him but because of my age and my relation to him, they didn’t let me up to the room. I stayed in the waiting room while my aunt visited and let him know about the situation. We were both very upset but I guess it was better for me that I didn’t have to see him in that condition. My mother was in the room helping him get cleaned up, telling him about what’s going on with the family, the baby, etc. I stayed in the waiting room for a few hours but I didn’t mind. About a week later, it was Easter and it was the first time he wasn’t there with us. It hurt my heart so much to know that he couldn’t make it and spent that last holiday in the hospital. The day after Easter, my mom woke me up at 3 in the morning to let me know he had passed away in his sleep. It hit me like a truck. I stopped breathing and was left in disbelief. I cried my heart out and I cried and cried for hours until it was 7 in the morning and I had cried myself to sleep. When I woke up, it felt like a dream. It felt like it wasn’t real and that it didn’t really happen. I’d never seen my mother cry before. Her little brother just passed away and she couldn't take it. I prayed that everything would be okay in my family and that my uncle was somewhere better than this cruel world. My brother was furious. He was crying and mad at the fact that my uncle knew of the consequences that would come if he drank, and he still did it anyways and look where it ended up taking him. We attended his funeral a few days later and I had to physically have someone help me get in and out of the car because I just couldn’t take it. It was an open casket and I had a breakdown when I saw him. He looked so peaceful and I knew nothing in the world could ever hurt him again. They released white doves at the burial site which are signs of peace, love, hope, and the Holy Spirit. However, one dove in particular stayed. My aunt lifted her hands and they all flew away except one. This was almost like a sign

letting us know he was okay. The dove was there to let us know that he was safe and that he’s found peace. When we returned home, I didn’t go to school for an entire week. It was such a hard grieving process that even to this day, I still shed a vast amount of tears whenever I think of it. I miss my uncle with all my heart but I’ve learned two lessons from this experience. Value your time with your family because you never know what will happen, and be responsible with what you put into your bodies that may be dangerous especially if you know you have someone who cares about you. So my message to everyone would be to please spend time with your close family so you can never say that you regret not doing so.

"The Perfect Date " by Jada H.

     Saturday, June 5th, 2015: Daniel and Evelyn’s wedding date. It had been 5 years since they had been married, but they had known each other for what seemed like forever. They were high school sweethearts, all 4 years. Daniel made dinner reservations at the fanciest, most extravagant restaurant in town, with a beautiful view of the beach and all the shining stars in the sky. Evelyn had brought a gift that her husband had been wanting for quite a while, and couldn’t wait to see the expression on his face when he opened the gift. They sat on the outside patio, amplifying the picturesque view.  Everything was going to be perfect.
     After they had eaten, it was time to exchange their gifts. Daniel first handed his wife the card, and decided to express how he was feeling.
     “We’ve been together for so long, and yet, I still can’t help but smile and blush, like a middle school boy, every time I see. You push. You encourage me. You believe in me, more than I believe in myself. We mess around like teenagers, and you constantly keep me laughing, I’m so grateful to hav-...”
     Before he could even finish his sentence, he was interrupted by this loud, indistinct noises coming from the front of the restaurant.
     *BOOM BOOM BOOM*
      “EVERYBODY, PUT YOUR HANDS!”
      Daniel and Evelyn immediately looked at each other in confusion. They could only hear some of
what the intruders were saying, but couldn’t see them. As they sat in confusion, they could only help but think, “What in the world was going on? Is someone robbing the restaurant? Is it a murder? Are we going to die?”
      As she sat glued to her chair, she thought to herself, “Are we going to die tonight? We have children waiting for us at home. What if they never see us again?”
     “What are we going to do?”, asked Evelyn.
     “Let’s hop the fence, and get the heck outta here!”
      But, it was too late. They heard the footsteps coming closer and closer, and knew they wouldn’t have time. Daniel ran over to his wife, forced her under the table with him, and wrapped her in his arms, trying to use his body as a shield to protect his wife for whatever was coming. He always said he would give his life for her, without a doubt, and thought this was going to be that moment. Their heart beats that always seemed to sync, were now out of rhythm as fear filled their entire body.
     “PUT YOUR HANDS UP! Evelyn Baker, you are under arrest!”, a squad of policemen shouted as they busted open the door and flipped over the table they were hiding under. They pried his hands off of her, ripped Evelyn out of his hands, and put her in handcuffs.
     “I’m going to fight for you, baby. I’m not going to let them take you away from me, forever!”, Daniel cried out as tears streamed down his face and his blood and anger boiled like lava erupting out of a volcano. And that’s exactly what he did. He hired the best lawyers and attorneys. He visited her every single day in jail. Daniel did everything he could to get her out of there. He didn’t understand why she was even in there in the first place. His wife was completely innocent...so he thought.
The hardest part was explaining it all to their kids. “Will she be able to make it to my game tonight?    When is mommy coming home? Will we ever see her again?”, they asked. Daniel tried his best to answer their questions in a way that they would understand the situation, without totally breaking their

hearts. Each time he visited her, Evelyn made him promise to always be there for the kids and to love them unconditionally. He ensured to keep those promises every single day.
     One day, the police called Daniel in for questioning. They asked a million questions: What is your relation to her? What is her occupation? What does she do in her spare time?. Question after question, Daniel couldn't take it anymore. Anger, frustration, and confusion swirled inside of him, and he finally exploded saying, “My beautiful, loving wife is NOT a criminal! Just leave us alone please, and let her go home”, with tears once again streaming down his face. Yet, as he lifted his head up, they showed him a multitude of different pictures with a woman with a weapon in her hands, seconds before a crime was committed. As he looked closer, he realized that the woman looked exactly like his wife. The same wavy hair, same dreamy, hazel eyes, and same clothing style. Sitting there completely perplexed, he thought to himself, “How could this be? Evelyn is a surgeon, and works long hours, sometimes not coming home for 2 days straight. Yeah she works crazy hours, but could she really have murdered people during that time??? 18 PEOPLE???? Nah, my wife could never do that.”
     However, after the investigation showed that the DNA was a match, and she was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, he started to have second thoughts: All the proof is there....but, could she really have done all that? He started to visit Evelyn less and less, and eventually stopped completely. He stopped talking about her, and the kids stopped asking about her.    Slowly, but surely...he fell out of love with her. He forced himself to. She was never going to get out of prison. He forced himself to move on.
     Years and years passed, and Evelyn became resentful. She hated prison. She hated the people there. She hated the world. She missed her family. She felt that she was innocent. One day, the police came into her cell, and said, “Evelyn Baker... you are free to go.”, and walked away.
The officers explained that there had been a mix up. Evelyn was adopted, and didn’t know her biological family. Apparently, she had a twin sister, but they were split up at birth. Evelyn was adopted into a loving family, while Eva, her sister, was put in foster care for most of her life. After she aged out of foster care, Eva had to try and survive on her own. Completely envious of her sister, Eva tracked Evelyn down and copied almost everything she did. Eva brought the same car, same clothes, and later framed her for a horrendous crime. Evelyn turned red as a cherry, and couldn’t even get a word out. She missed her kids’ graduations and weddings, the birth of her grandkids, and lost the love of her life. She lost her career. She lost everything. And it was all for nothing?!?!?!?
     But she couldn’t just let it all go. After a few days, she went back to what used to be her and Daniel’s house. Ready to proclaim her love and to be joyfully accepted, she excitedly knocked on the door.  After what seemed like forever, Daniel opened. Yet, her excitement quickly faded as another woman walked up: his new wife...her replacement.
     Every holiday, Evelyn would drive up to the house, and would watch them from afar. There they were, looking like a perfect family. There she was, taking on Evelyn's role. There she was, hugging ​her kids. She sat there, wishing things would go back to the way they were, but she knew that wasn’t going to happen. She hated her ​replacement.​ She hated the world. She hated everything.

" How to Make Perfect Avocado Toast" by Simer D

      Growing up in a multicultural household with both of my parents being extraordinary
cooks, I’ve always wanted to learn to cook from both of them. Ever since I was little I have loved observing them cook and experiment with different palates even if that meant I would have to sit on the counter and peel garlic. As I’ve gotten older I have learned from watching them cook and from time to time I try to recreate their dishes while adding my own personal twist to them. Unfortunately, my culinary skills definitely need a lot of practice and refinement because many of the dishes I do try to make do not come out so great. However, there is one thing I do take pride in, and that is my avocado toast. My entire family loves this quick dish and it is perfect for our busy mornings. Many, if not all, of us have either tried avocado toast or have seen it posted on a foodie’s Instagram page before. While making avocado toast may seem self explanatory, I have had one too many avocado toasts that did not quite do themselves justice. Avocado toast is such a versatile dish to make and can be served as a snack or dressed up with toppings of your choice and be made a meal! Another great thing about making this recipe is that most of the things you will need are probably already in your kitchen, so trips to the grocery store are not needed. So, if you are in need of a quick, filling dish and have a few minutes to spare follow the 100% fool-proof recipe below!


What you will need:

• ●  2 slices of bread of your choice (I prefer using whole grain bread however any type of bread will work just as well)
  
• ●  1⁄2 of a ripe avocado
  
• ●  1⁄2 of a lemon or lime’s juice
  
• ●  1 tablespoon of olive oil
  
• ●  Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend (A key
  ingredient!)
  
• ●  Crushed red pepper flakes
  
• ●  Salt (optional)
  
• ●  A fork
  
• ●  A toaster or toaster oven
  
• ●  A small sturdy bowl 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Above photo: Ingredients needed that are listed, appliances are not included in photo
  

1. To begin with, you will need a toaster to toast your bread slices to your liking, I
personally prefer my toast on the crispier side.

2. While your bread is toasting, this is the perfect time to start preparing your avocado mixture. Start off by cutting and scooping out half of a ripe avocado from its shell and cutting it with a fork until slightly smooth but still textured, you do not want to over-mash your avocado or else the consistency will be too mushy for one's liking. Make sure the avocado is ripe enough or else you may find difficulty in mashing the avocado. (FYI: Keeping the seed of your avocado in a container with the leftover avocado will help keep it fresher longer)
   
3. Once your avocado is mashed you then add your wet ingredients starting off with adding a tablespoon of olive oil as well as half of a lime or lemon’s juice and mix well.
   
4. After all of the wet ingredients have been mixed in, your toast should almost be done so be ready for your toaster to go off any second now.
   
5. Once you have your toasted bread, spread the avocado mixture over the slice of toast and then proceed to top with the dry ingredients. There are no specific measurements to this, sprinkle as you please. In no particular order, sprinkle the Everything but the Bagel Seasoning generously (don’t be shy), as well as the crushed red pepper flakes to your liking (depending on how spicy you would like your toast to be) and although there is salt in the seasoning added if you prefer your food on the saltier side you may wish to add some salt to top it all off.
   
6. Add additional toppings of your choice and get as creative as you would like. Some easy and delicious ways to jazz up your plate are by adding: an overeasy egg, fresh sprouts, vegetables of your liking, or your favorite cheese! Don’t be afraid to experiment with combining different flavors. Remember, expanding your palate is always a good thing!
   

7. Repeat steps 1-7 for your second toast and enjoy! Here is the finished product: 

Whether you use this recipe to make avocado toast for the first time, add a twist on your own recipe, or have any tips I should know for future reference let me know!

"My Travel Diary" by Shreeya C

Tuesday, May 28, 2019
      Would you rather be rich and unhappy, or poor and happy? In Singapore, it seemed like
people were rich and happy. It was a place where you could buy happiness with designer handbags, Michelin Star cuisine, and luxury cars. When I entered Changi Airport, I was immediately taken aback by the attractions I saw at every corner: a butterfly garden by the bathroom, a classy spa near the food court, and an indoor market on the second floor.
     Three days in Singapore have flown by and as I enjoy my last bowl of laksa before heading back to the hotel to leave for India, I think about how I enjoyed my time in Singapore. Rather than indulge in the riches of the country, my family and I explored the diverse culture of the working class in Singapore. We tried Malay laksa, Indian dosas, and Chinese chicken rice all in one day.
     On the other hand, observing the lifestyles of the fortunate ones in this country has motivated me to do what I can to become like them. When I walked through the Gardens by the Bay, I saw seemingly accomplished women enjoying the scenery with their Birkin bags and Louboutins. They shined amongst the crowd of tourists. ​I want to be like them​, I thought, forgetting about the delicious foods and relaxing nights I had enjoyed the past few days. I want to visit Singapore once again with plenty of money to spend and enjoy the luxuries of the rich and happy people I saw around me. 

Saturday, June 1, 2019
      As I watch the crows fly through the cotton candy sky, my grandma calls my name, “hey
Cheelu, come sit and talk with us.” I walk down the cool marble steps onto the village road and sit next to her on the concrete ledge of our neighbor’s house. She continues her loud conversation with our neighbor and I try to understand what they’re talking about. “Wow, she’s grown so much. She looks exactly like her mother.” ​Never heard that before, ​I think to myself. I close my eyes and the world begins to slow down. The sounds around me are more clear; the sparrow’s song and the insect’s hum. I can smell the mangoes on the trees and the rain in the clouds. The humidity of the air surrounds me with a refreshing mist.
     When I open my eyes, I see a crowd of people I vaguely remember in front of me. “Is this really Shreeya?”, “Does she still speak Telugu?”, “How are you doing in school?”. Questions flow out of smiling faces, glad to see that the toddler they had raised had grown up into a teenager, identical to her mother.
     I had spent the past two days with my grandma. My parents went to the city to meet some friends, but I obviously love my grandma more than them so I decided to stay with her. We traveled the village by auto-rickshaw, stopping by tea stalls and bakeries to get our sugar fixes. We went shopping for clothes and jewelry in crowded bazaars. During these trips, I learned that my grandma and I share the same energy. We love interaction and conversation,

and although we had many arguments over trivial things such as which kulfi flavor to buy or which lehenga was prettier, my grandma and I also had many laughs.
     As I reflect on the time I spent with my grandma, I realize how important she is to me. “Yes, this is my granddaughter! Look at how pretty she is,” my grandma says proudly to the neighbors. The affluent women from Singapore dressed in designer attire do not seem as inspirational to me anymore. 

Wednesday, February 19, 2020
      I reminisce as I look back at these journal entries from my summer vacation. After going
back to India to visit my family after five years, I have learned a lot. There are many things I take for granted, my family being one. After this trip, I made sure to call my grandma every night. She still passes the phone around to all the neighbors and they continue to point out how much I’ve changed.   Looking back at my experiences, I miss the village life: the smell of the mangoes, the cotton candy sky, and the cute baby cows grazing the fields. Maybe it’s because I’m a Gemini, but I still can’t decide whether I prefer the extravagant life in Singapore or the calm village life in India. What do you prefer?

"Lola" by Nathaniel A

      A flaw of the human condition is that goodbyes are inevitable. People try so hard to
extend the life of others to enjoy just a few more precious moments with them before these goodbyes arrive. For me, she had always been in my life. One of the first to see me, one of the first to hold me, one of the first to love me. My Lola (grandma in English) has always been a part of me, a person that I could not imagine life without. Thankfully, my Lola is still living, breathing, yet struggling with normal bodily functions. I had to say goodbye to my Lola, an event that felt as if she was moving on to the promised land.
     My Lola is quite the older individual, with eighty-three years in the counting. She was a normal grandma to say the least, making me my favorite orange juice shake every single morning, cooking me delicious chicken adobo and other Filipino cuisines when I come home from school, and giving me those types of hugs that no one can resist right before I go to bed. She had lived with me for almost an entire decade until the series of unfortunate events started to occur. Cousins from Florida losing their mother from a deadly car accident. Five year-old cousin from Canada suffering from lung cancer. Family members required care and thankfully, my Lola was the Wonderwoman to many by tending to their needs. Her absence from California was quite unfortunate, however, my innocent mind kept reminding me that she would come back home and that she would continue to be the great Lola that she was.

     Years passed as did the many messenger video calls until the year finally arrived when she returned home. Something wasn’t right. Fatigue, lack of movement, and worst of all, the persistent pain that always struck down upon her was a burden to her and the family. Activity became limited and life choices were no longer a convenience store of options. Nevertheless, restrictions never brought her down her morale. I would always see that same Lola smile along with those same Lola jokes. I was also able to find joy for the person that she still was, not sadness for the absence of the person she used to be.
     These moments didn’t last forever. As she left for Florida once again for yet another unfortunate death, her health upon her arrival at California was at an all time low. It would sadden me to see her try to take a bite of food for minutes without end, followed by an everlasting frown resembling the one from ​Coco​ at the end of the movie. I would even have to take laps around our pool table with her just to get the slightest bit of exercise, clutching to the back of her pants, supporting her, and praying that her knees will not give in and collapse. With these moments, I knew that she needed a life where she could receive care 24/7.
     Just a few months later, she was gone for good, this time not for the care of others, but for the care of herself. She went to Florida to see her doctor and go through her fourth surgery. The Philippines was her final destination as a financially feasible place to reside and to be taken care of for the rest of her life. I said my final goodbye to her, as if she was moving on to the afterlife.
I realized then that goodbyes to people are not based on whether or not their souls are in this world; they are based on whether or not the connections with a person are kept alive. Despite the drifts in our relationship, my Lola really was and still is one of the most influential people in my life, despite losing the identity I have learned to know and love. While she does not live with

me anymore, I still appreciate all the love and thought she has given, I still appreciate that she continues to breathe, and I still appreciate the wonderful person that she is through her care of family and herself. I was never able to see her again simply because of her body changing faster than my ability to travel and the lack of funds to do so. Today, I continue to enjoy the video calls that we do have, and her absence reminds me that I have to enjoy every single moment I have with people, young or old, because quite frankly, I do not know when goodbyes are going to arise, but I do know my Lola’s final goodbye to the rest of the world is soon to come.

"Finding Fulfillment" by Lauren W

     What makes a fulfilling life? What is it exactly that we are trying to fulfill? The dictionary defines fulfillment with two definitions, meeting a requirement or condition, and achieving something that is desired or promised. It seems incomprehensible that one can define having a fufilling life when they are just functioning to perform in a satisfactory manner to do what is just sufficient. Life is more meaningful when our goal is fulfillment, meaning we yearn for achievement and pursue what we desire.
     We all have different definitions of success, but who or what do we let define whether or not we are fulfilled? Social comparisons hinders us from focusing on what our own core values, morals, and merits are. We are fed the idea that a life of comfort and luxury deems instant satisfaction, but when you take away the physical items what do you have left? The state of fulfilment cannot be estimated by tangible items, but is an ongoing process of trials and tribulations to discover our true purpose. Rod Stryker stated, “Your long term happiness and fulfilment depend on your ability to fulfill your souls unique purpose and to fill the place in the world that only you can fill making the contribution that only you can make.”
     Sometimes we need to take a step back and ask ourselves what exactly is it that we are trying to fulfill? We all have goals, but this leads us to question why people make choices that leave them unfulfilled. Often times we are forced to do what is necessary to make ends meet and set aside our true passion. This causes sacrifices to our own benefit and detriment. For example, this can be seen with a lack of job or career satisfaction creating a cycle of complacency for years. In some instances, a job or career can provide you with the ideal financial situation, but not the ideal situation to fuel your personal fulfillment. One might be perceived as successful but as Tony Robbins said, “Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure.'' With ignoring our

dreams and passions it’s easy for any of us to fall into a pattern of being uncontent. Fulfillment can be achieved when we remove our preconceived limitations on what we believe we can accomplish.
     When do we know we are fulfilled? There is no direct measure of fulfillment, therefore one can only evaluate whether they have reached what they long to attain. Fulfillment is not temporary and it doesn’t come instantly. Immediate gratification is not the solution to finding overall fulfillment. The incorporation of our past choices, our current decisions and our future ambitions accumulate our gratification. Fulfillment is not being content with only what you have done, but being elated with what you will continue to do. With fulfillment we will know our direction. With fulfillment we will not live with emptiness. With fulfillment we will not live with regret. Every action and decision made will depict how we lived a life of purpose to possess fulfillment. 


Source:
Seagraves, Kyle. “Personal Fulfillment: How Do You Find It?” Uncover Your Purpose, 7 Dec. 2018, ​www.uncoveryourpurpose.com/personal-fulfillment-how-do-you-find-it/​.

"Never Hold Back " by Michael R.

     My dad is highly respected in his family. From being 5 years old and skinning chickens in El Salvador to becoming Vice President of his demolition company in the US, he had a strong passion in his soul. One thing he had always told me was to never hold back. I felt like I had to follow his shadow. However, I’ve always held back but knew I had more to me. Until one summer, when everything changed. I was 11 and became a student at a local gym called Selva Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where I learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA fighting. I didn’t know it at the time, but it would become the spark in my life. I couldn’t throw a ball and there was no way I could wrestle to save my life. It all felt pointless. I began sparring with the other kids and lost against my opponents in every match. I wanted my flame to be put out, but my dad wouldn’t let me stop until it roared. My first tournament was about to tear down my defensive shell. It took a lot of work along with my blood, sweat, and tears fossilized onto my gi (uniform) waiting to be discovered.
     We entered and immediately my heart leaped out of my chest and anchored me down. Ringing, Buzzers, yelling and crying echoed around the entire gym, it felt like my soul was taken by death himself. I waited for 2 hours, my mind was completely drowned out by the cries and bells, I felt like my confidence was fading away. Finally, my call was up but by then I was hoping some kind of natural disaster would have occurred. Earthquake, tsunami, bubonic plague, anything would’ve felt less horrifying than seeing my competition. Tall, strong and most importantly calm soldiers standing is a straight line ready for battle, all the while little 11-year-old me was cold and paralyzed with fear.
Unfortunately, it was my turn. Fighting against my opponent, the screams from my coach and dad made me stiff, and for 2 minutes I did nothing, I held my guard. I decided to use up all my strength to out-power my opponent. He easily pinned me and was able to go up by 2 points. I kept fighting, ignoring everyone around thinking a miracle would happen. Instead, I took an elbow to the mouth.  My braces hit my lips so hard, I started bleeding. All I heard was “Mike, Mike, What are you doing?!” I was done. I didn’t think I could do it so I held back. And just like that, I lost. The referee grabbed my hand and my opponent’s hand, raising his up while mine remained lifeless, a puppet with no strings. Everybody cheered. I started tearing up and my opponent noticed. He gave me a hug and a handshake then left. Relieved it was over, the real fight was with my dad. As I approached the sidelines he rambled, yelled and questioned me and for a moment, I was so terrified, I was so stunned that I could not say anything but let my eyes water up. My eyes started to burn and my vision became blurry. My mom took me in her arms and all I could do was cry. RING RING RING, the referee came back. “Michael? Hey, Michael, your second match is up”. There it was. I had never felt so defeated in my life, I wanted to pass out. My soul tugged my dead body towards the middle of the mat and I shook my competitor’s hand.

     I was so defeated that I shut everyone out and, in turn, was being completely pummeled by my opponent. I tried to out strength him but my weakened body had nothing left to overpower him with. I had done it again, I held back. Down by 6 points, I had 40 seconds to do something, anything. It was all happening again, but then I saw my dad. Expecting disappointment, I met a familiar face. He wasn’t mad, he never was, he was just as scared as I was! He thought I couldn’t push anymore, he felt defeated. I was done. I felt my flame wrap around me, light shimmering, burning everything around me and I was ready. My chords strummed and I opened my ears and listened to my coach. “Look for the opening! You see! There, there! Armbar! Armbar!!” I grabbed his arm, spun around, tugged down the hardest I ever could. I felt 3 taps on my leg, he tapped out. The referee grabbed my arm and my opponents. I looked at the scoreboard, I lost by 6 points. However, the referee raised my hand up. I won my submission. The room exploded with cheers all along the sideline and a smile stretched across my little, doughy face. I won! However, I noticed my opponent was teared up, he couldn’t walk. I knew exactly what he was going through his head, so I shook his hand and gave him a hug. Returning to the sidelines, I meet up with my family. They were so proud. I never realized it but that day, I became as confident as my dad. I took control of the torch passed on to me and showed everyone what I was capable of.
     Lifting up my copper medal, weight pushing down on my little hands as they grazed the reflective brown silhouette. It was a globe that had wings sprouting out with brilliance and confidence. The continents were engraved in the background and bright red stars were placed all along the edges. It read, 2013, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, World’s tournament. Tears and sweat slid down my medal, blood on my gi. I looked around and saw my family taking pictures. I love looking back on this day. It was the first time I didn’t hold back. The first time I didn’t let anyone walk over me and it wasn’t going to be my last either.
     Never Hold Back.

"Looking Up From 6-Feet Under" by Ibrahim E

      July 26th, 2017. I’m 15, I’m at the bottom of a grave, looking up, since that’s the only
way out.
      On July 25th, 2017 my family and I had just finished up eating at the Panera Bread on
Foothill and Fruit st. in La Verne when we got a call that sent us all into an emotionally destructive spiral. The hospital called my mother to tell her that her father, my grandfather, had passed away. So, as anyone else would do, we rushed to the hospital to be by his side, hoping that there was just an ounce of life left in him for us to speak to him one last time. Sadly, it was too late. He had no life left in him. I remember the hospital room being filled with about 10-13 people, all of them were crying and wailing. Meanwhile, I was sitting next to my grandfather, just staring at him, with no emotion whatsoever. This was the first time that I had experienced the death of a loved one and I did not know how to react. I did not know whether I should have been crying, like everyone else, or whether I should have just remained silent, so that I may allow his soul to leave his body in peace. I had remained silent when in the hospital room. However, it is when I returned home that I had allowed all my emotions to truly form their own course and steer themselves. I had gotten home, and I just started to think about him and I was just filled with anger. Not anger towards him, but towards the doctors for letting this happen to him. And towards the evil eye. And towards everything else that was completely out of my

control. I was unable to sleep that night, but for the next few days, the only sleep I got was in fact not sleep at all, for all I could think about was him. He was in my dreams. He was constantly on my mind. He was everywhere I went and I could not escape my emotions. It felt as though my mind and heart were on an emotional and mental lockdown simultaneously. The day after he had passed, his body was to be washed and ready for burial. Being one of the closest men to him, I had attended his washing, however, it is uncustomary for me to go into depth about the washing aspect of the burial. Nevertheless, I had served as one of the witnesses to his washing, and like before, I was completely emotionless. Whether he was dead or not, I could not bring myself to cry in his presence. I refused to allow my emotions to get the best of me in his presence, because he would not have wanted that for me. He used to call me “asad,” which means “lion” in Arabic, only because he felt that ever since I was little I had a strong will. After washing his body and preparing it for burial, we had taken his body to the mosque, so that we may pray ​Salat Al-Janazah,​ a funeral prayer on behalf of him. The prayer hall was filled with about 120-130 people, so much so that there were people praying outside, and in the midst of this sea of people, I had forced mydelf to the front, so that I may be as close to my grandfather as possible. During that prayer, I had heard a few faint sounds of men wailing, as if it was their​ ​father who had died, but again I was holding in my emotions. After the prayer, we had taken my grandfather to the La Verne cemetery, the only local cemetery with a Muslim section, and we had unloaded his body from the van that was carrying him. Once the van had opened its doors, I remember seeing my grandmother just asking to see her husband one last time and looking into her eyes when she asked to see him was like looking into a sea of despair. Justifiably so, seeing as she had just lost the only man that she had ever loved. Once the sea of women had cleared the way for us to carry

the body out of the van, we had begun to carry the body out of the van and towards the burial site.  When we had reached his grave, his body, only wrapped in white, because it is against Islam to bury the dead in coffins, was lowered into the grave. Now came the part that I knew was coming. When burying someone, it is customary for the three closest men to that person to be sent down into the grave with that person and point them in the direction of the Qibla, the direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When the time came, my cousin, my uncle, and I were the three men sent down to point the body towards the Qibla. I had watched my step, stepping carefully down the ladder, and once I had hit the ground and realized that I was in a grave I pretty much lost all feeling in my body, all my senses, and my sense of time. I remember me just standing there when one of the men, the man who performed the washing, was telling me to grab his feet and move them. He told me about three times and it wasn’t until the third time that I processed what he had said. But, when I was in that grave, I couldn’t help but grasp the fact that I’m going to be here one day as well, but there’s not going to be any way out of it. That’s the reason it had taken me so long to respond. Once we had moved the body, we had all climbed a ladder and exited the grave, but when exiting, I could not help but notice all the people around me and all the people looking at me as if I had something they wanted from me. This only lasted for about 10 or 15 seconds, for shortly after, the men proceeded to throw dirt inside the grave, specifically 3 handfuls of dirt per man, as according to Islamic tradition. I had made sure that I threw the first 3 handfuls of dirt, only so that I may escape the sea of men trying to throw dirt as well. This very day had forever changed me. This day made me aspire to be exactly like my grandfather. After this day, I vowed to become the lion that my grandfather saw in me. After this day, there are three simple rules that I live by, which go as follows: love and take care of your

family, protect those closest to you, and never be a coward. After that day, my entire personality changed. At only 15, that day had made me a man. My grandfather had lived every day of his life to the fullest, no matter what circumstances, and I think about that often and whenever I feel sad, I remember that he had to go through much worse than me and he stayed strong, so there is absolutely no reason as to why I should not.

"Monday Morning" by Kaj M

      Monday morning of August 22, 2016, only two weeks after starting my first day of
highschool. I opened my eyes to the opening ringtone of my 5:30 a.m. alarm and immediately silenced it because I thought I could take a quick power nap before my real alarm went off. I told myself, “just a couple more minutes wouldn’t hurt” as I shut my eyes again to sleep. What felt like just a couple seconds before I opened my eyes again to check my phone was actually an hour. I slept through three more alarms, my 5:45a.m. to warn me that my real alarm is coming up, my real alarm at 6:00a.m. and my emergency 6:15a.m. alarm just in case I didn’t wake up to the other three. It was already 6:30 when I rushed out of bed to pick out my outfit for the day and set it on my desk. I then headed to the shower to hopefully start my day feeling refreshed and clean. I got out of the shower 10 minutes before 7:00, brushed my teeth, got dressed and managed to finish at about 7:00.
     I rushed into my parents room to wake up my dad and tell him it was just about time to take me to school because my dad was usually the one to give me rides to school in the mornings. However, this morning he told me to ask my older brother if he would take me to school instead because he was feeling too tired and it is never a good idea to drive when you are feeling sleepy. So I did what my dad asked, rushed into my brother's room, woke him up and told

him he had to take me to school today because dad was too tired today. Little did I know, my brother had just got back home at 6:00a.m. from a long night of partying and had only got about an hour of sleep. Since he got home so late, he didn’t want to admit to my dad that he’d been out all night so he agreed to take me to school despite having little to no sleep whatsoever.
     We then got in my brother’s brand new 2016 Honda civic, buckled our seatbelts and started our journey to school. I sat there in my brother's car, plugged my headphones into my headphone jack, opened Spotify, and began listening to music to try and ease my mind and body from the stressful start of my morning. I was scrolling through music to try and find the perfect song on our drive as I often looked up to see how far we were from school. We were on Walnut st. going approximately 40mph while approaching a stop sign at Cherry ave. I assumed we would start slowing down because that is usually what you do when you start approaching a stop sign, so I looked back at my phone to find that song again.
     A couple seconds later, I looked up again and we were closer to this stop sign and still no slowing down but even then I still wasn’t worried because I trusted that my brother would keep us safe. Looking down at my phone once again I began to realize that we should have started slowing down already so I immediately looked up at the road ahead one last time, looked at my brother and saw him with his head down because he had fallen asleep behind the wheel. My heart sank as I began to realize what was about to happen as we approached this oncoming traffic on a busy Monday morning and I braced for impact. Those few seconds before our car hit the other car, were the longest few seconds of my life. Within those few seconds, my entire life flashed before my eyes just like in the movies. Every good memory of my life from the moment I could remember was in the forefront of my mind as I could literally see in slow motion what

was about to happen in front of me. All I remember thinking at that moment was “This is it. It’s over for me”. Then at the very moment that our cars collided, the slow motion stopped, I heard the loudest crash, and then everything went dark. That moment was only a couple seconds long, but it felt like an eternity. I started to come to my senses but my vision was blurry and all I heard was this constant ringing. Once my vision started to clear up, it was blurred again by the smoke that started filling up the car and my lungs which made it hard to breathe. I immediately tried to open my door to get out the car not even thinking that our car was sitting in the middle of a busy street but my door was stuck and I couldn’t get out. I then tried to reach for my phone but my phone had flown across the car and unplugged from my headphones when we crashed. People who had stopped on the side of the road came to help me out the car and told me the police were on their way. The police and ambulance arrived on the scene within a few minutes of me getting out of the car and asked “Are you ok? Do you have any injuries?”. However the adrenaline that coursed through my blood made it so I couldn’t feel the injuries that I had obtained from the crash so I responded “No I think I’m ok”.
     Thankfully me and the other individuals involved in the crash had only minor injuries and all walked out of the accident okay. I thank God everyday for protecting me in what I thought were my final moments. This event gave me a wake up call to realize the importance of life and how fast it can be taken away. I still remember the crash like it was yesterday and now that I drive myself, it has taught me not only to be safe when I drive but to make sure others are safe when they drive as well. To this day I still feel my heart sink into my stomach as I drive past that intersection but I will forever be grateful and blessed to be where I am today and to have been given the opportunity to grow into the person that I am today.

"My Love" by Jaeyeon R.

      Love is “a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person” as defined by the
Webster dictionary (Love). I believe this definition misses a lot of the feeling and the importance of real love for another person. Emotions are hard to define in simple terms since it is often we rely on our own experiences to come up with our own internalized definitions. Personally, I feel love is the hardest emotion to define due to everyone loving in their own way. Love is such a raw emotion that varies from one person to another. My love is being able to give myself up to someone, trusting them with my emotions and to continue making connections with one another.
Alan Watts did a lecture on love and defined it as, “an act of surrender to another person” which I feel helped to better capture the emotion of love (Watts). When you say that you are “in love” with someone, it is about letting go and entrusting yourself; mind, body, and soul, into another person.   Love is all the little things that build up into this great emotion we have for someone. It’s waking up with someone in the morning and making their coffee the way they like it, it’s the inside jokes you keep between yourselves that have developed over the years, it’s looking into their eyes and feeling at ease. No nerves, no anxiety, just relaxation and the ability to surrender to them.
     Falling in love can happen fast, almost like lightning. When it’s real, we don’t really know that we’re in love with someone until we are. There’s almost a complete lack of thought

that happens when you fall in love. You might think, “this is someone I’m going to fall in love with” but it almost happens on a whim where you stop and think to yourself, “I am in love with this person.” There wasn’t any looking for it, it just happened spontaneously. While it happens fast, it continues to grow after the initial, “falling in love.” Love doesn’t seem to end, as time goes on there will always be moments with the person you love that increases that love. Maybe that person decides to surprise you with a romantic dinner, or they buy you a pair of shoes that you didn’t even say you wanted but they saw you looking at them at the mall. An article by Marni Amsellem, Ph.D, a psychologist, states that, ”the most memorable things that partners can do for each other are these thoughtful and personalized gestures which communicate care or love” (Amsellem). Everything about love is personal, it’s all about the connections you make with another person and for the rest of your lives, always seeking to please one another in big ways as well as tiny little gestures which carry just as much weight.
     While the dictionary does its best to define love in a very general way that can apply to everyone, we all feel love differently. Personally, love is being able to trust someone with my emotions that allows for growth with one another. Alan Watts does a great job lecturing on the idea of love as an act of surrender to another person while Marni Amsellem finds love in finding little gestures that allow for a deeper connection with another person. At the end of the day, love will always be what we feel in ourselves that gives us our definition. Love isn’t something that can be searched up in the dictionary, it’s what we find within. 

Bibliography
Amsellem, Marni. “The Little Things Can Mean Everything in a Relationship.” ​World of Psychology​, 8 July 2018,
psychcentral.com/blog/the-little-things-can-mean-everything-in-a-relationship/.
“Love.” ​Webster Dictionary,​ G & D., 1966.
Watts, Alan. “1.4.4. – Divine Madness.” ​AlanWatts.org​, www.alanwatts.org/1-4-4-divine-madness/.