It's a New Year! Let's Read!

 All Students:  Be sure to read the entries for this group --September writers).  Everyone is required to comment on at least THREE different pieces of writing.  You must submit comments on Canvas (for each one, include the name of the author and the title of their piece, and then your positive, specific comment ) by Wednesday, October 12, on Canvas .

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 Bathroom" by Julissa V

The recollection of just a few seconds ago stained his shut eyelids and he was just about ready to scream. But as if God was testing him, he couldn’t scream in the small room of white tiles that echo for hours—he can’t. He just can’t.

So cold water will suffice. The water rushes and rushes out into the guilty bowl and his hands cup to accumulate water. Maybe he cupped them in prayer, hoping that his life would be normal after washing away his sins.

Okay, okay, alright, he tells himself and he just can’t shake the feeling that he can’t wash his regret off. No amount of scrubbing or soap or water could save his soul from that horrible, horrible thing he did.

He notices himself move in the mirror, watching the way the water drips off his palms, how the strands of hair that ghost over his forehead tremble, the way he’s just…himself.

And he’s disgusted.

So much so, that he just needs to leave.

He walks out of that cold, soulless building, in the search of light or darkness, somewhere where his mind can lay still, legs carry him quickly past the warm light of the lampposts, the soles of his feet pave the pavement in rapidity, and finally..

 

Light.

In the middle of nowhere.

His eyes curiously wonder to its source, and it’s as if someone in the clouds held a flashlight onto the Earth, coincidentally illuminating the disoriented man.

And he sinks onto his knees, completely at whoever’s mercy.

“Please, I don’t understand,” he wails.

His ears could swear they heard a response, and he swallows.

“I…can’t say. Please don’t make me admit it.” His eyes avert to his trembling hands, the blood that once adorned them back to haunt him.

They cover his mouth to let him let out a shrilled and muffled scream of desperation, of torment.

And he wallows in rapport, in beg of forgiveness.

 

 

"Incomplete" by Jack P

Alarm blaring, emergency lights flashing, she sprinted through the cramped hallway. Others were also running across the hall, albeit in a more frantic matter than the woman heading in the opposite direction. A few glanced at her, possibly wondering why she was ignoring protocol, but dismissed her when they saw the uniform she wore, missing the faint bloodstains near the collar. Or maybe it was her blank face and cold brown eyes, her blond hair tied back in a tight knot, that made no one question her.

Not a single person she passed even thought about stopping her.

            This wasn’t supposed to be part of the operation, but someone just had to give her outdated patrol routes for the compound, insisting he couldn’t get a hold of anything recent. She couldn’t decide if Roderich was overconfident in her abilities, or just didn’t care too much about her life. He never really tried feigning compassion anyway, and neither did she. Thanks to that bastard, she had managed to run into a guard who turned a corner just in time to catch her in a particularly long hall. Luckily, she had managed to dispatch him before he could trip the alarm, but his chip had recorded his sudden loss of a heartbeat, and the alarm went off seconds later. At least she had been able to carry his lifeless body into a nearby supply closet, throw his uniform over her own, and blast a small hole in the ceiling to climb through. That had led into another supply closet on the next floor, at least the floor plan she was given was correct.

            While this was definitely not the most elegant mission she would conduct, it was certainly going to be quick with the speed she was progressing now. Running through the blank halls, filled on both sides by identical steel doors, was much faster than trying to sneak around the cameras a floor down. Although, the fluorescent lights spread across the ceiling were harder on her eyes than unlit corridors. As she moved further down the hall, making multiple turns without hesitation, the number of people frantically rushing past her thinned. Just three more turns and she would be at her destination.

            She picked up her pace, her breathing steady, turning right, 50 meters left. The endless array of depressing doors that were abundant further out in the compound were absent here. Instead, the sparse scattering of doors were more ornate with chip readers replacing the keycard scanners of the previous ones. The designers even went so far as to paint the doors in black and light blue, with a small smattering of gold, Resistance colors. Typical, for the commander to invest more funds in fancy hunks of metal rather than weapons or supplies. Though, based on the blueprints of the place, the suites behind those doors were pretty nice, if you ignored the fact that they were located in the middle of a windowless, steel building.

            She made another turn, this time to the left, only 20 meters away. She could see the door now, its unpainted, silver surface standing in stark contrast to the more decorated ones before. The only things distinguishing it from the walls were its chip scanner and in the center, the symbol of the Resistance: a triangular enclosed in a circle.

            Two pairs of syndre stood outside guarding the door, just as expected. The two humans, a slightly muscular man with an even more muscular girl who couldn’t have been older than 20  were wearing the usual guard uniforms which were almost entirely black signifying their rank. Their partners, a gray wolf stood by the group while a small hawk perched on the girl's shoulder. Even though they were most certainly trained to react properly to a situation such as this, the Resistance lost all of its competent soldiers in the raid two years ago. Despite the alarm that was still omnipresent throughout the hall, none of them were preparing for a fight, but were instead nervously glancing at each other and the door they were assigned to protect. The wolf’s ear perked up as they picked up the woman’s footsteps over the sounds of the alarm.

            But it was too late to stop her.

            Drawing the shortblade she hid in the folds of her coat, the woman ran it across the wolf’s throat before they had the chance to turn their head. Their partner fell with them, body hitting the solid floor. Moving past the body, she started towards the second pair, who both quickly fell back upon noticing her arrival, dodging her second swing. The girl threw out her right hand, while the hawk flew from her shoulder, poised to attack. Wind whipped against the woman, slowing her down a small amount. In the same moment, the hawk dove towards her, steel encased talons poised to attack, she quickly stepped to the right before she turned around and swung her blade aiming for her previous location. The hawk fell for the maneuver, only able to veer slightly to the side before the blade cut through a portion of their wing, causing them to fall to the floor, blood trailing behind their path. The wind rushing against her faltered as the girl gasped and fell to one knee, clutching her arm. The woman sped towards her, allowing her blade to clatter to the ground as she carelessly dropped it.

            Hands now shaking, the girl struggled to grab the handgun holstered at her hip. The woman ran into her, slamming the girl into the door behind her. The sound of a bone cracking rang out as the woman grabbed the girl’s wrist, moving her arm under the chip scanner. The door unlocked with a small click. With the difficult part over, the woman released the girl and walked down the hall to retrieve her blade. The hawk was still there, now struggling to stand on their legs, eyes locked on the woman as she bent down to pick up the blade. She turned her head back to look at the girl who managed to get on two feet with the same hateful glare. She reached for her own gun, hand shaking slightly as she grasped the handle. The girl coughed, blood spilling out in a light spray as she looked toward the hawk, what seemed like grief replaced the hatred in her eyes.

            The girl looked back at the woman, eyes locking with hers. The woman lifted her gun, pointing it at the girl’s forehead. The girl gave a slight nod, a small smile creeping up the side of her face as she glanced back at her hawk, then towards the woman for the last time. The woman did not return the gesture.

            “I’m sorry” was all the woman said before she pulled the trigger.

            With no one left to stop her the woman stepped over the girl's body and walked through the door, shutting it behind her. The area inside had the same layout as the other suites scattered throughout the compound, one large main room containing various monotonous couches, tables, and seats with three doors leading to a bedroom, bathroom, and study. The entire room was noticeably colder than the rest of the building and quieter too, thanks to the blessed entrance being soundproof. The only noise came from the woman’s footsteps as she walked towards the study, still gripping her gun tightly in her hand.   It took her only a few steps to reach the shockingly normal door  to the study (it even had a handle!), and she took a moment to draw a quick breath before she opened it.

The only notable objects in the room were a plain desk that was paired with an equally boring computer, still no windows. A woman sat behind the desk. She was dressed in what looked to be formal business attire, a black suit and pants, the outfit complete with the resistance logo over her heart and a blue tie. Her long, sleek, black hair that fell evenly over her shoulders, tan skin, and deep black eyes served as a stark contrast to the overwise light room. While she wasn’t engaging in any activity before now besides tapping her pen against her desk, she looked at the woman who now stood in her study.

            “Well, look who finally decided to show up,” she remarked in a sarcastic manner, casually twisting a strand of her hair around her finger. “You know Cerna, I was surprised that you weren’t immediately here to slit my throat once the alert went out. But, I guess nobody’s perfect.” She leaned forward, eyes locking with Cerna’s. “So, implore me, how is it that I’m not dead on the ground yet?”

            Cerna upholstered the handgun at her hip, responding with a flat tone, “I can finish the job if you like Karola”.

            “Aw, this early?” Karloa mocked, as she let out an artificial sniffle, “But I have a little something that I so desperately want to tell you”.

            Cerna walked up to her, bringing her gun to the woman’s forehead, expression blank. “No more games Karola, what do you want?”

            Karola leaned back in her seat, swinging her legs onto her desk in a comfortable position. A small smile crept up the side of her mouth. “See, I would bargain for the lives of myself and my associates, but I’m guessing that’s not an option”. Cerna’s face remained unchanged. “As I thought, so how about I interest you in another offer?”

            Cerna forcefully stepped forward, leaning over Karola as she kept her at gunpoint and growled, “How about you get to the fucking point or I’ll create a perfect little bullethole to compliment that perfect little face of yours.”

            Karola’s smile left her as she abandoned the sarcasm and slowly moved her legs off the table. She looked up at Cerna. “I know where the last Catalyst is”.

            Her face unchanged, Cerna stared back down at her. “Do you really think I’ll spare your life over an Eila forsaken rumor?”.

            “Don’t worry, I’ll tell you where they are.” Seeing no change in Cerna, Karola continued, “Right here, right now. But, you have to promise me something”.

            Cerna’s finger tightened on the trigger. “I’ve already told you I’m not sparing your sorry ass so don’t waste your time trying.”

            Karola’s grin returned. “Oh please, surely you of all people don’t expect me to be that simple. So can I interest you in the info we have on the Catalyst on the condition that you vow to protect them”.

            Cerna’s trigger finger pulled back a small amount. “And what makes you think I’ll keep my word if they really are the last Catalyst?”.

            Karola leaned in, forehead positioned directly in the path of the gun pointed at her. With her expression unfazed she casually responded, “Because I know that even without your word, you’d protect them as long as it meant getting to see Scorza again. This is just a safeguard to make sure you don’t go on a limb and do anything stupid”.

            Her arm locking, Cerna snarled, “Don’t you dare mention his name ever again”.

            Karola leaned back as she waved her hand to her side. “But you know this is your only chance at getting him back. So, are you going to take the offer or not?”.

            Countless emotions clouded Cerna’s eyes as she lowered her arm. “Fine”.

            Karola clapped her hands together, exclaiming excitedly, “Great, good to see we finally came to an agreement for once!”. She opened a drawer on her desk, fishing out a nondescript holotab before holding it out in front of her. Cerna reached for the holotab, but Karola pulled it back before she could grab it. Any hint of sarcasm left her before she told Cerna, “Just… make sure you keep them safe, okay?”.

            Cerna reached out her hand as Karola dropped the holotab in it. She took her time, making sure to carefully store it in the folds of her coat before looking back at Karola with uneven breaths. “You know I will''.

            Karola nodded, “Good”. She feigned a smile as she leaned back in her chair for the last time. “Now, you came here to do something, didn’t you? Get it done.”

            Cerna kept her head down as she brought her shaking arm back up and pointed the tip of her gun at Karola.

            A lone tear fell down Karola’s face as she searched Cerna’s eyes, rasping, “I just wanted to say… sometimes I think about… you know, how things could be different. And I’m sorry… for all of it.”

            An identical tear escaped Cerna’s eyes. Without looking up, she struggled to get her words out, “Me too”.

            With a resounding boom, she pulled the trigger..

"The Art of Amigurumi " by Shalini J

 

My first encounter with crocheting was in elementary school when my mom bought me a kit containing two hooks, two pairs of safety eyes, polyester stuffing, and enough yarn to make Yoda and a Stormtrooper from Star Wars, which I had never watched before. The box sat in the garage for many years, untouched until junior year of high school, when I started to come across the hobby online. I saw the many ideas and capabilities of what could be created with yarn, and decided I wanted to learn as well. While it sounded easy in concept, it took me about three months before I could create a simple square. After I completed that milestone, it wasn’t long before I could read patterns, soon being able to make my own designs myself. What I enjoy about this hobby is the endless possibilities and freedom in what you can create. I find joy in making things that I enjoy myself as well as being able to make things for my loved ones as a gift of my time and energy.

While crocheting and knitting can be easily confused, they are two separate techniques. Knitting is done with two knitting needles while crocheting is done with a single crochet hook. Amigurumi is the specific art of making 3-dimensional animals or characters with crocheting or knitting, originating in Japan.

This tutorial will be showing you how to read a simple pattern for a sphere and create it with crochet. By knowing how to create basic shapes, it can open you up to a large variety in what you can create.

 

Tools you will need:

Ball of yarn (acrylic or cotton) - This will be what your ball is made out of. It is important that the thickness of your yarn correlates with the size of your hook.

2.5 - 6 mm crochet hook - This will be used to create your stitches. Make sure the size correlates to the thickness of the yarn.

Tapestry needle - This will be used to weave in remaining ends of the project left behind after tying it off.

Scissors - This will be used to cut any remaining yarn you have left.

Polyester stuffing - This will be used to fill your sphere.

Safety pin - This will be used to track where you are in the project.

 

The following instructions will show you how to interpret the pattern below:

Round 1: 6sc in magic circle [6]

Round 2: (inc) x 6 [12]

Round 3: (sc, inc) x 6 [18]

Round 4: sc, inc, (2sc, inc) x 5, 2sc [24]

Round 5: (3sc, inc) x 6 [30]

Round 6-7: sc in all sts [30]

Round 8: 2 sc, inc, (4sc, inc) x 5, 2sc [36]

Round 9-11: sc in all sts [36]

Round 12: 2sc, dec, (4sc, dec) x 5, 2sc [30]

Round 13-14: sc in all sts [30]

Round 15: (3sc, dec) x 6 [24]

Round 16: sc, dec, (2sc, dec) x 5, sc [18]

Round 17: (sc, dec) x 6 [12]

Fasten off, stuff fully, close hole, and weave tails in.

 

Step 1: The first step to this pattern is to create a magic ring/circle. Take your left hand, palms facing you, and wrap your yarn twice over your pointer and middle finger, creating an x. Hold the end in place with your thumb and flip your hand to the other side, inserting your crochet hook under the first ring. Grab the second loop and pull it under the first, then twist the loop once. With one loop now on your hook, grab the remaining loop that is not on your hook and pull it through the loop on your hook. You have now created a slip knot and a place to start your project. 

 

 

Step 2: The pattern states “6sc in magic circle”. The abbreviation “sc” refers to the single crochet, which is a very common and basic stitch you will be using throughout the project. In your left hand, wrap the yarn over your pointer finger, which will be outstretched to create tension to easily grab more yarn with your hook. Hold the yarn in place with your pinky finger, and use your middle finger and thumb to hold the actual project. In your right hand you will be holding the book. In order to create a single crochet, put your hook under the circle (starting in the area of the circle where there are two strands of yarn) and grab the yarn being held by your pointer. Pull the strand underneath the circle so that you have two loops on your hook. Then, grab more yarn with your hook and pull through both the loops. Repeat five more times as the pattern instructs you to create 6 single crochet stitches. When you are done, pull on the extra strand to close the circle. 

 

Step 3: Round 2 instructs you to create 6 increases. An increase is essentially placing two stitches into a single stitch. Its abbreviation is “inc”. To do this, insert your crochet hook into the top two loops of the next stitch. Grab the yarn and pull it through those two loops. Grab the yarn again and pull through the two loops left on your hook. Repeat this step by inserting your hook into those same two top loops and repeating the steps until you have made two single crochet stitches in one space. Now that we are moving on to having multiple rounds, you need to use a stitch marker, in this case a safety pin, to keep track of which round you are on. After creating your first stitch, put a safety pin on it to keep track where the round begins and ends. For this round, repeat the steps five more times until you reach the end of the round, which is where your stitch marker should be. The number in the bracket at the end of each step is how many stitches you need to make for each round. In this case, you will make a total of 12 stitches, 2 in each stitch from the first round. 

Step 4: Round 3 has a series of stitches in parentheses followed by the number of times you need to repeat the series. In this case, you will need to repeat a series of one single crochet stitch and one increase a total of six times. To do the rest of the single crochets, instead of placing your hook under the magic circle, place your hook under the two top loops of the next stitch and repeat the same steps. Remember to remove your stitch marker, and place it on the first stitch of the next round. You will need to do this everytime you start a new round from now on. For this round, create a single crochet in the next stitch, then put two single crochets into the next stitch, which is the increase. Repeat this series five more times, essentially alternating between the two until you reach your stitch marker again.

Step 5: Round 4 instructs you to make one single crochet, then an increase at the beginning of the round. Then, in parentheses, it instructs you to follow the series of 2 single crochet stitches then an increase and repeat five more times. After that, you create 2 more single crochet stitches until you reach the end of the round. Make sure to remove your stitch marker from the old round when you create your first stitch, then placing it on the first stitch of the new round to keep track.

Step 6: Round 5 instructs you to repeat a pattern of 3 single crochet stitches and an increase for a total of 6 times. Remember to remove and replace your stitch marker at the beginning of your round.

Step 7: Round 6 and 7 instruct you to single crochet all throughout the round. For each round you should have made 30 single crochets, meaning 60 total for rounds 6 and 7. Remember to remove your stitch marker and place it on the first stitch of your next row. It is not necessary to count each stitch, just single crochet until you reach your stitch marker. Then repeat with the next row.

Step 8: For round 8, it instructs you to make 2 single crochets, then repeat a series of four single crochets and one increase five times, then create two more single crochet stitches until the end of the round.

Step 9: For round 9, 10, and 11, repeat the instructions from Step 7 in which you single crochet all throughout the rounds. This time, you should have made 90 single crochets total by the end of round 11. Make sure you are placing your stitch marker each time.

Step 10: Round 12 introduces a new type of stitch. While an increase makes each round have more stitches, a decrease makes each round have less stitches. Its abbreviation is “dec”. To create one decrease, put your hook through one of the loops of the next stitch, specifically the loop facing you. With the hook still under that loop, insert it again into the loop of the next stitch (also facing you). With two loops on your hook, take the yarn and pull through both the loops. For round twelve, it instructs you to create 2 single crochets, then a decrease. Then it asks you to follow a series of four single crochets and a decrease for a total of five times. After that create two more single crochets. 

 

Step 11: Repeat Step 7 for rounds 13 and 14.

Step 12: For round 15, the pattern asks you to repeat a series of 3 single crochets and one decrease 6 times.

Step 13: Round 16 instructs you to create a single crochet, then a decrease. Then it instructs you to repeat a series of two single crochets and one decrease five times. Then create a single crochet to reach the end of the round.

Step 14: At this point, there is an adequately sized hole to insert stuffing in. Pull your crochet hook upwards to pull more yarn through the stitch that prevents unravelling of your project. Remove your hook and stitch marker. Take your stuffing and insert enough until the ball holds its shape but is still soft like a stuffed animal. After stuffing, insert crochet hook back, pull yarn to tighten around the hook again, and continue crocheting.

 

Step 15: For round 17, follow the series of one single crochet and one decrease, and repeat six times.

Step 16: After reaching the end of the last round, cut the remaining yarn, leaving about three inches of extra length. Pull through the yarn through the loop, and pull to tighten. 

 

Step 17: To close the remaining hole, put the tail of the yarn through the eye of your tapestry needle, leaving an inch of yarn past the eye. With the needle, insert it underneath the front loops of the six decreases you previously created. Pull the yarn to close the hole. 

Step 18: With the remaining tail left behind, place your needle under the “v’s” of the surface of the stitches, going in any direction until you feel the tail is woven properly into the project and will not come undone. I usually go in two different directions. Cut any remaining yarn to create a clean look, and your project is complete.

Creating a ball in crochet is a good stepping stone to creating many more projects. Crocheting is a creative outlet for me, and I hope by reading this tutorial you will enjoy it as much as I do.

"In The End" by Jeanette H

 

            At the bottom of the towering spire-like mountains, the sheer edges of the cliffs hung perilously over the four. Opaque lumps hung off the sides, drifting aimlessly through, serving only to impair the view of the fearsome parapets in the distance. Harrowed by their travels, what seemed to be an impossible challenge was but one of many. At the forefront, leaning on her left leg heavily, the apparent leader guided them on their way to take the first of many steps. Tortuously, one by one, they filed like ants up the little path winding up as far as the eye could see.

            Up and up, slow and treacherous the journey began. The path of cold gray gravel and the usual brush that would have lined the way was left mere scorch marks upon the land. At the foot of the mountain, all one could see was the endless empty pale plains without a breath of life in the land. It wasn’t long till the frozen winds swept past their threadbare coats and the thick fog clouded any view of the fatal drop below.

            Evidence of their predecessors, more ill-prepared, less stalwart, their ivory vines sprouted from the ground. The opulent knights and the weather-worn farmer, none escaped the unforgiving grip of the Great Equalizer. The ill-begotten lush lengths of furs that lined the arrogant and the poor canvas tunics of the desperate, Their eyes were blind to it all. All who came before met the same cruel fate.

            Great tribulations they had faced to arrive on these cliffs, the sweltering sun that beat down upon their sore bodies. Soggy bogs that soaked through old boots rotted them from the ground up as endless droves of empty eyes watched their every move. The second of the ants, whose bright warmth was leached out by the desolation of the land, could no longer crack the tension with his lightning wit. Not after he had to leave their gentle soul in a shallow grave; no time to mourn when there is a quest to complete.

            Perhaps that is what drove them, in their sorry march, making like mountain goats clinging to cliff sides. Some sickening sense of obligation to end a struggle they didn’t start, a war they suffered the consequences of. Maybe it was a moral righteousness that motivated them to leave a better future for their posterity, though any action taken by this point was too little too late. The damage was done, and the gaping wound left in Gaia’s side was left to bleed the last vestiges of life out.

            Though in the end, humans are all run by their own selfish desires. The third of the sad trope of supposed heroes was no pillar of justice, just another depraved with no other place to go. One could hardly recognize why only those who had seen the raucous laughter that used to accompany them. The six used to stand tall, in a world that gave them no solace, they became their own sun. Now one could never find four who had fallen so far.

            Perhaps it all went wrong, that fateful night, when the fire burnt strong and the crack of fire matched the oily waters. Like a sea breeze, tragedy swept over the camp before they could even comprehend what they could lose. They swarmed in, faceless and cruel, tearing into the scarcities in search of momentary satisfaction. Too fierce, too passionate, the first of the six dropped, his cries of injustice drowned out by the buzz of the selfish.

            Like a downward spiral, the infighting started at that moment. First, it was terse words and loud sobs; a sense of grief pervaded them all. Then it was cruelty; they found fault and blame in every misstep and any action became another debt on their soul. The fourth of the lonely line dragged the burden of breathing, needing a moment of respite they no longer felt safe enough to ask for.

            Now, the silence bore down on them relentlessly; the weight of their debts dragged on their shoes. The only conversation was between their listless thoughts and the whispering of the rushing wind. Every step was another step away from what they left behind, blinded by some intangible goal. Now they could only silently peer into the abyss below and ponder the decisions that brought them to this point.

            Finally, the pinnacle rears its ugly head into sight, and the cast iron wrought gates loomed on top of the peak. After four full years of nonstop travel and questing to defeat the next pillar of the greater evil, the end was finally in sight. Dread curls in the pit of their stomachs, this was the determining factor. This will decide if even a single action they took since the start of this odyssey was worth anything at all.

The cold stern stairway loomed eerily over the four; the final obstacle before they return to their comfortable homes and perhaps even revive their whittled-down communities. Every battle, every friend found and lost, the sacrifices they made, all of them led up to this very moment. Perhaps they knew, however, never could they retrieve the life and lives they lost. Those small snippets of love and joy they found in each other were forever lost to the gusts of times, ever fleeting.

Up and up, one step and then the next, till it could be denied no longer; they were at the precipice of their future. The end was nigh, but now it is here.

 Forward stepped the depraved third, with one burst of power the final gate was blasted off of its hinges. A gush of dust mushroomed out of the doors, clouding their vision into the cavern before them. Finally, a sign of life, a rancor of coughs rang out from the quartet. Slowly but surely, the dust swished lamely down to earth again. Teary eyes tentatively gazed forth into the dark and somber throne room.

Vaguely lit, the red sparks from the candles dimly illuminated the heightened ceilings of the regal castle. The dark black stone walls were royally draped with rich red tapestries and the carpets were stained red with blood to match. Stacks of riches sat collecting dust, more wealth than could possibly be comprehended by any one person. Long pillars, ostentatious shows of some artistic taste that died with the artists millennia ago. All leading up to the most magnificent throne of them all. Rich burgundy velvets lined the gold-encrusted armrests. The head of the throne was carved in the shape of the sun, with rays of swords radiating out from the center. Truly, the center of the world sat comfortably in lavish glory, to never want nor need.

There, the figurehead of the horrors of this reality sat; with this creature of unparalleled vanity, the last vestiges of an old reality would die and a new lease on the world could be founded. At last, if they could survive this one last trial everything will have been worth it; they could be the heroes who saved the world. Alas, they thought as Don Quixote once did think.

Up, upon that glorified throne sat their mortal enemy. At less than a foot tall, half-blind in both eyes, completely toothless, and with severe hip joint arthritis, sat a very old chihuahua

"Coming to Terms with Grief" by Samantha D

Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. These are the five stages of grief. I don’t love this description of grief. I feel like these stages try to generalize grief into categories when not everyone goes through grief in these stages. A question I find myself asking is whether grief can be never-ending, or at that point is it no longer grief? Grief is defined as “deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death.” So by this definition aren’t you always grieving whenever you have deep sorrow in missing that person? Grief is also said to be “a natural response to loss. It's the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away.” However, at what point does this grief end? At what age do you have to be to go through grief, can you delay your grief until you fully understand it, or can grief come in and out of your life?

I lost my brother, Jacob, when I was 5 years old. He was three years old and way too young to die. He was born with health issues so it wasn’t surprising, but I can still remember the day it happened. 12 years ago this month. I can picture myself at my aunt and uncle’s house in my taekwondo uniform waiting for my parents to come home. Soon enough they walked through the door without my brother and I broke down crying on the couch. Every year I revisit this scene but somehow I seem to place myself older than I really was. Other times this doesn’t even seem like something that happened in my life. I was 5 and you don’t do many things with a sick sibling at 5, so the memories are limited. I have memories of laying on his bed with him watching cartoons or rolling his bed out to the family room, but really not much else. Sometimes I even feel like these memories aren’t my own but instead, a story told to me. However, the pictures and handprints on my wall reassure me that this, that he, was part of my life. At that age, I don’t know if I went through the process of grieving. Of course, I was sad, but then again I was in kindergarten and I’m pretty sure they don’t teach you how to grieve in kindergarten. I think maybe at such a young age you grieve as much as you can process, but maybe you don’t go through the whole process. Another thought is that maybe you grieve as your parents do. My parents said they allowed themselves to grieve with one being stronger at times than the other. However, even being surrounded by this ability to grieve, I still don’t think I grieved just because of my age. I feel like I grieve now as I see things that make me think of what could’ve been and make me miss him even more. Junior year of high school I had this recurring thought, “this was the year I would have had my brother at school with me.” I see other siblings hanging out or even fighting and tend to put myself in their place with my brother. I don’t feel like I fit into one of these stages of grief, but instead, I'm stuck wishing for what could’ve been and seeing it everywhere. A song could come on in the car and I look at the seat next to me and wonder if I would’ve been driving him to school. Some days I’m fine, but other days I am just sad. Is this still considered grief, or is it just sadness?

I often feel “stupid” because I’m so sad over something that happened 12 years ago. Even as stupid as I feel, I would say that I am grieving. Grief has such a negative connotation around it as if it's such a horrible thing to go through. However, I also think it's good to fully go through grief. People seem to have this defense mechanism which includes suppressing their grief and shoving it down. Trying to stop your grief can then lead to an explosion of these emotions later in life, which is why you have to allow yourself to feel whatever you feel. I don’t think this is what happened to me, but I think that my mind couldn’t comprehend the grief and how to go through the process. Grief has somehow become seen as this monster plaguing your life. However, I like to think of it as this freeing process. As I grieve now, I can better understand my feelings and even come to recognize my own story. I don’t usually tell people about my brother and I’m pretty sure most of my friends don’t even know, but this is because I'm not defined by my loss. However, it makes me who I am and it is part of my story. Going through it so young has made me more independent and even brought me closer to my parents. Not having a brother with me at high school has probably brought me closer to friends as they have become more like siblings. I’m also probably closer to my sister not having another sibling around every day. Grief is difficult but it shouldn’t be shied away from. Everyone has some sort of loss in their life and has probably experienced grief at some point. Your grief or loss is part of your story, just as mine is, and has to be allowed to be felt, even if it seems like a weird time to be grieving. I’ve come to understand that it’s not stupid to be grieving 12 years later because this is what my mind and emotions can handle now, that they probably didn’t understand earlier. Grief is not a simple emotion, it can be delayed or broken up, and it does not have to fit into a certain stage.

"How it’s Made: Computer Edition" by Chase A

 

Computers are something we all use, but to many people, they may be magic in how they work and how they are put together. Well I'm here to inform you on how these magic machines may be made.

 

Tools:

The list of “tools” you need doesn’t include many tools, but the parts of the computer. The only true tool you’ll need is a screwdriver, preferably magnetic if possible. The other “tools” you will need for a computer are a CPU, video card, motherboard,  cpu cooler, ram modules, hard drives and/or ssd, and a case.

 

Step 1: This step is mostly for safety, as computers are very fragile in their parts. You’ll want to build this computer on a desk that will not give any electric shocks, as these will destroy components of the computer.

 

Step 2: The CPU

Steps of building a computer are variable, but these are the steps I recommend in this order. You will start with taking your motherboard out of the box. Put the motherboard on its box, or the table. Be careful with handling any part of your pc. The first real step in building your computer is putting the CPU into the motherboard. The CPU is the Central Processing Unit, and it does most of the processing for your computer’s tasks. Take the cpu out of the box, being VERY CAREFUL to touch only the sides of the CPU, do not touch the top or bottom. There will be a bar near the top middle of the motherboard, and a socket with a bunch of little pinholes. Pull this bar up, and look at your CPU. There will be a triangle in one corner of the CPU, as well as a triangle in the corner of the CPU socket. Slowly drop the CPU into the socket, matching triangle corner to triangle corner. Make sure the CPU is snug in the socket, then take the lever and push it back down into position. This will take a bit of force, do not worry.

 

Step 3: The CPU Cooler

 

The CPU Cooler keeps your CPU at working temperatures, and its installation will vary greatly depending on your type of cooler, and you can find the instructions for your cooler on your manual. For a basic installation that may or may not apply however, you will first apply thermal paste, the heat conductor between the CPU and the cooler. Apply a drop of thermal paste the size of a grain of rice in the middle of the CPU, then apply your CPU cooler by putting it directly on your CPU, and follow the manual.

 

Step 4: The RAM

 

The RAM is the “short term memory” of your PC. It is one of the easiest things to install, but there is one important step that may be easy to miss. Motherboards typically have 4 RAM slots, so where would you put the RAM if you have only 2 sticks? Well, you must consult the motherboard manual for this, reading about what slots to populate first. Typically, it’ll be the 2nd and 4th slot, but it is very important to look before installing. Once you know what slot to install the ram, it is as easy as one, two, and three. Step one is to push the side clamps on the RAM module slots down. Step 2 is the insert the RAM, matching the divet in the ram stick with the outcrop in the slot. Step 3 is to push the RAM in with equal force on each side until the clamps go back to their original position, holding the RAM in place. Repeat this step with each stick of RAM.

 

Step 5 (part 1): Case Preparation

 

The case is where all the parts go, keeping them safe and in place. The first step in prepping the case is to open it up, by removing the front panel on the case. Look in the drive cage, or power supply cage for a box that will come with your case that has all of your accessories. You want the motherboard IO Shield, and you will put it in your case. The shiny metal side will go inside your case, and the little circles will go near the bottom of the case. There will be a cutout in the case, and push the IO Shield into that cutout from the inside of the case until it pops into place.

 

Step 5 (part 2): Installing the Motherboard

 

The next part of prepping your case is the motherboard standoffs. These keep your motherboard from resting directly on the case, where the back may become damaged. These parts will come in the goody bag from your case, and will be put on the case depending on the size of your motherboard, such as mini ATX or standard ATX. There will be markers on the case that tell you what size will require those stand offs, so screw in your standoffs into these locations. Then, slowly put your motherboard in your case, making sure the middle standoff falls into place in the middle of your motherboard, lining up your IO shield with the port on your motherboard. Use the designated screws from your goody bag to screw the motherboard onto the standoffs, which will keep your motherboard in place.

 

Step 6: The Power Supply

 

The power supply is the, you guessed it, supplier of power. Depending on your type of power supply, it may be modular, semi modular, and not modular. Modular meaning there are cables that you choose to put in, and not modular is cables are already there and you can’t change any of them. Take whatever cables you will need, including the 24 pin ATX cable for your motherboard, the 8 pin EPS for the CPU, and 2 6+2 PciE for your video card. You will also need a SATA cable for any storage you have. Take your power supply and find where your power supply will slot in. Slide it in with the fan facing down and the cables facing into the pc. Use the 4 power supply screws given in order to lock your power supply in place.

 

Step 7: The Front Panel Connectors

 

The front panel connectors are what gives power and function to the buttons on the front of your pc, such as your on and off button, your headphone jack, and your usb slots. Find these cables from behind the case, and slot them through to the front, preferably closest to the connector on the motherboard itself. Start with the USB 3.0, and find the USB 3 connector on the motherboard. It will be keyed, meaning the cable will have to go a certain way in order to plug into the motherboard. Each motherboard will be different with where the pins go, and some have the labels next to the pins. Find these labels and match the cables, being careful to not break the pins.

 

Step 8: Hard Drives/SSD

 

Hard Drives are the storage of your device, and SSD’s are the same but are much faster in speed, but are more expensive. You want to find your drive bay, and slide your disks in. You than want to screw in the disks, and connect your SATA cable from your motherboard. Get a DATA cable, and connect it from your Hard Drive to the motherboard slot.

 

Step 9: Video Card

 

The video card is the processor of any video/3D related things. First, remove the metal brackets to the side of the main video card slot. Depending on your card, you may be required to remove more than 1. Push the tab on the side down, and slot your video card in. Push it down until the clamp goes back onto the video card, and then screw in the video card on the side where the metal brackets were. Get the 2 6+2 pin connectors and plug it into the video card.

 

Step 10: Turn It On

 

With all of these parts in, put the back panel onto your pc, and plug in the pc to the wall. Turn on the PC with the case’s power button. If all fans spin and any RGB lights you may have turned on, you can connect a monitor. If it outputs a display, your PC building is a success.’

 

 

As someone who has built 2 PC’s, and has helped 3 people build PC’s, I would consider myself pretty knowledgeable on computers. I’ve watched hours of building, and have immersed myself in computers for months. If you have any questions, feel free to