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What Putting Myself Online Taught Me
Written by Katrina Bui As a Criminal Justice major with an Advertising minor, I never expected that stepping into content creation and brand ambassadorship would shape me in such a meaningful way. What started as something fun, just sharing moments of my life, turned into a journey of growth and self-discovery. I began posting casually, simply because I enjoyed capturing and sharing happy moments. That changed during my junior year when I landed my first paid brand ambassadorship with JOYBA (a fruity bubble tea company). At the time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but that opportunity pushed me to take a leap. From there, everything…
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Why “Transform” by Daniel Caesar Feels So Real
Written by Ivan Li Some songs don’t just sound good—they feel honest. “Transform” by Daniel Caesar is one of those songs. It connects with a lot of people because it reflects the way people actually are, not some perfect version of life. Right from the beginning, when he says, “If a leopard never changes its spots, how can I change what I’ve got?” It brings up a question that a lot of people probably think about at some point. Everyone wants to grow or become a better version of themselves, but it’s not always easy. Sometimes it feels like certain habits or parts of your personality are just stuck with…
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Spring into Music: Refreshing Songs for the Soul
Written by Chloe Tabaco It’s a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing, and flowers are blooming. On days like these, people like me… are creating their 259th playlist. As the weather gets warmer and we set the clock an hour forward for better sunsets, I find myself wanting to share the gift of music with all who wish to broaden their horizons. I take pride in my search for uncut gems with fewer than 10,000 listens, as well as the songs with millions that I still feel need love. From indie rock to disco-lounge, this article will go over my top five spring songs to stop and frolic in the…
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3 Love Songs That Hit Different: Thinking Out Loud, Goodbye, and All of Me
Love comes in many forms: sweet, tearful, exciting, and heart-melting. Music has a way of expressing these emotions that words alone often can’t. From the thrill of new romance to the ache of heartbreak, certain songs stand out for their lyrics, melodies, and pure emotional energy. Here are three love songs that hit differently and remain timeless favorites. 1. “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran No list of modern love songs is complete without Ed Sheeran’s masterpiece. With its smooth piano, gentle rhythm, and heartfelt lyrics, Thinking Out Loud is the ultimate celebration of enduring love. Sheeran’s voice makes every line feel personal and intimate, whether you’re slow dancing…
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Lunar New Year, Lunar Nostalgia: How My Family Celebrates
Written by Will Chen Lunar New Year is one of my favorite holidays because its themes center on renewal, family, fortune, and prosperity. Each year, my family hosts a gathering and prepares a wide variety of Chinese dishes for everyone to enjoy. Cousins, aunts, and uncles come together to catch up and share updates about their lives. This sense of connection and togetherness is what makes me look forward to Lunar New Year each year. Traditional Lunar New Year Foods: One of my favorite dishes that my parents prepare each year is Cantonese-style ginger scallion lobster. This dish highlights the natural sweetness of lobster, enhanced by ginger and scallions that…
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Ponyo: A Platonic Love Story
Written by Sophia Kim Studio Ghibli movies are always filled with a magical sense to them, and watching Ponyo is no different. Between the beautiful art style from Hayao Miyazaki and immersive music from Joe Hisaishi, Ponyo would make an amazing watch for Valentine’s Day, or any occasion! Ponyo starts off with the premise of Ponyo (the goldfish) wanting to become a human and experience life on land. Similar to the plot of The Little Mermaid by Disney, there is a feel of “love story” to Ponyo, but to write it off as simply a love story would be a misinterpretation. Ponyo is truly centered around trust, pure affection, and…
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Love Letters to my Loved Ones
Written by Ruthie Suarez To My Sweetest Companions, Carson & Cardo You both came into my life when I needed something quiet, something warm, someone who didn’t ask questions. And somehow, you just knew. Carson, you are my loud little comfort machine. When my anxiety starts climbing, and my thoughts feel too big, you jump onto my chest and start purring like you’re on a mission. It’s not a soft background hum. It’s deep and steady and powerful. Your whole body vibrates against mine, and somehow my breathing slows to match it. My heart settles. The panic fades. Cardo, you are my quiet warmth. The one who curls perfectly into…
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The ABG: A Label Built On Struggle
Written by Paulina Tep When you hear the term “ABG,” you think of the Asian Baby Girl: she’s got bleached hair, wears heavy lashes, is obsessed with raves, and is a certified bobaholic. The ABG is the antithesis of Western society’s expectations of women: bold and sexy, not passive and dainty. While this is the widely accepted definition of an ABG, I have noticed a shift in how it is presented in recent years. Several other youth subcultures of the past decades have transitioned into a social media “aesthetic,” including the ABG. The ABG style is about visuals now and not culture. My observation is that while the standard ABG…
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A Reflection On Asian Americans’ Political Resistance
Written by Paulina Tep When I started my freshman year at UD in Fall ‘24, I was beyond excited to join the APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) community here. Planning for college in high school, I was eager to finally escape the predominantly white community I was surrounded by. Despite UD’s PWI status, I knew that anyone of any background could find community here. So when it came time for the Involvement Fair, I ran to all of the Asian RSOs I could find. Since then, participating in these RSOs has been an amazing experience for me – the clubs are phenomenal at cultivating fun and cultural events. While…
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When Pixar Feels Like a Love Letter: Watching “Elemental”
Written by Mikhaella Lopez The theme of love is a recurring point that is seen in almost every Pixar movie. Whether that be familial love like Marlin and Nemo in Finding Nemo, or a platonic love between Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan in Monsters University, love exists in every single movie Pixar has created. As someone who grew up watching Disney and Pixar movies, I fell in love with the different characters throughout the years; from Lightning McQueen from Cars to Mama Imelda from Coco, there were many characters to love. I first heard of Elemental back when I still used to work as a boba barista at a…
