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Places to See Christmas Lights/Decorations
Submitted by Ruthie Suarez “Glowing Parols and Holiday Joy: My Magical Christmas Break in the Philippines” The Philippines is known for its vibrant and festive Christmas celebrations, and one of the most prominent aspects is a dazzling display of lights everywhere, especially the iconic parols. A parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas lantern, typically star-shaped, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. They are made of bamboo and colorful paper and come in various sizes, from small and simple to big and intricate designs. When I visited the Philippines over the winter break to celebrate Christmas and New Year with my family, the sight of parols glowing brightly along the streets, homes,…
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Seeing Climate Change in Action: Where are the Blizzards?
Submitted by Will Chen Winter is one of my favorite seasons of the year to experience. I love the cold air and brisk morning winds. Most of all, I love playing in the snow and watching snowflakes drift down. On winter days, looking out my window and seeing piles of pearly white snow brings me so much joy. However, as each year passes by, the Earth is getting warmer. More specifically, the amount of snowfall in the Northeast has dramatically decreased over the past few years. Many of my happiest memories consisted of snow days, staying indoors, and shoveling the pavement. Nowadays, I only remember sprinkles of snow each winter.…
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How to Decorate the Perfect Gingerbread House
Submitted by Angelina Ng Building and decorating a gingerbread house is a fun activity to do during the holiday season. However, creating the perfect one might be challenging. From the frosting to the gingerbread to the candies for decorating, many aspects can drastically change your house and design. Here are some rookie tips for decorating gingerbread houses! 1. Give your frosting a warm-up The frosting is the main appeal and view of your whole house. It is used to assemble the walls and roof, in addition to outlining and decorating. As you take out a pack of frosting, it tends to be stiff. For smoother application, put the frosting in…
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A Letter To My Best Friends
Submitted by Daniella Avisado Dear Best Friend(s), If someone were to ask me what I’m most thankful for, my answer would be instant: you guys. That’s a question that doesn’t require any thought—because I’m so sure. Of course, I’m thankful for family, food, and good health, but you all are right up there at the top of the list. I think a lot of people underestimate the power of friendship. The difference it makes to be surrounded by good people is life-changing. Being able to find people who share the same values, morals, and lifestyle as you is a blessing. I’m lucky to say I’ve found mine. I’ve never met…
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Love on a Plate: Expressing Appreciation Through Food
Submitted by Steven Pham Food plays a significant role in everyone’s life, but for me, it’s also a way to express my love language. As someone whose love language is acts of service, I show my appreciation for my closest friends through food. One tradition I’ve developed is making my signature banana pudding every New Year’s for them—a sweet gesture that began four years ago but has already become special. Before every New Year’s Day, my friends always ask me the same question: “Yo Steven, are you making your banana pudding again this year?” I always reply, “Of course I am.” Their faces immediately light up with excitement, and it’s…
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A Thank You Letter to My Comfort Show & Character
Submitted by Will Chen During tough times, everyone has a way to help cope with their difficult situations. It is important to have that outlet to let these emotions out and get comforted. For me, a show I always turn to is Pokemon. I used to love this show as a kid and watching it gave me a smile every time. Although this may be a kid’s show, the lessons involved were instrumental to developing my character. Ash Ketchum and the journeys he has been on with his Pokemon have educated me on the principles of life. Aside from the valuable lessons Pokemon has taught me, the show always has…
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Why I Always Finish Each Grain of Rice
Submitted by Ruthie Suarez “Every Grain of Rice: A Lesson from Nanay” Growing up, my Filipino nanay—my grandmother— was a source of endless wisdom and gentle teachings. When she moved to America she worked for S.O.M.E (So Others Might Eat) where they strive to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Her voice was a steady guide in my childhood, weaving lessons into my everyday life. Of all the teachings she taught me, one stuck with me the most: “Finish every grain of rice on your plate. There are hungry children in the Philippines who would give anything for what you have.” As a child, I didn’t fully understand her…
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Unspoken Struggles: A Gap with My Family
Submitted by Jodie Li Like everyone else, I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve struggled, felt lost, and been overwhelmed, but these thoughts have never been shared with my family. It’s not that I don’t trust them—it’s that I don’t want to burden them. There’s also a part of me that worries they might not understand how I feel; worse, I fear they might even be disappointed. My parents, specifically, are traditional Chinese immigrants—strong-willed and hardworking. I wanted to appear just as strong, capable, and independent—the person they raised me to be. But in choosing not to share my struggles, I often felt disconnected from them, carrying burdens that might…
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A Lesson I Learned From the Film ‘Didi’
Submitted by Gina Choi The coming-of-age film Didi follows a Taiwanese American teenage boy as he navigates the challenges of adolescence, trying to balance his cultural heritage with the pressures of fitting in with his American peers. The film does an excellent job portraying the awkwardness of puberty and the often embarrassing moments that come with growing up. It captures the universal struggles that come with adolescence, making it easy for anyone, regardless of background, to relate to Didi’s journey. As an Asian woman raised in American culture, I found myself connecting deeply with Didi’s experience. While the film didn’t teach me any particularly new lessons, it definitely reinforced things…
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Louie’s Dishes: My Mother’s Best Homemade Meals
Submitted by Francesca Tero My mother, Eloisa Espiritu, otherwise known as “Louie”, built her own catering business from the talent of her two hands. Technically, four or six hands if you count the occasional times my sister and I are recruited to help her. Nonetheless, her business, “Louie’s Dishes”, came to life in the kitchen of my childhood home when my mom decided to put her own twist on the viral “Sushi Bake” recipe that was taking over the Internet at the time. It’s important to note that ever since I was young, I’ve had the pleasure of tasting and appreciating the variety of dishes my mom had a knack…
