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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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Things I Bought That I Definitely Shouldn’t Have: A Journey of Regret and Laughter
Submitted by Steven Pham Ah, the joys of adulthood—when the freedom of spending your hard-earned money comes with the bittersweet taste of regret. Let me take you on a whimsical journey through my wallet’s misadventures, highlighting two shining examples of how I managed to part ways with my cash: Valorant skins and an omakase experience that fell flat. The Allure of Valorant Skins Imagine this: I’m immersed in a fierce Valorant match, adrenaline surging as I grip my mouse, poised to turn the tide for my team. My heart races not only from the intensity of the game but also from the stark realization that my knife skin is as…
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Retail Therapy is a Blessing and a Curse
Submitted by Will Chen Retail therapy refers to the practice of shopping to improve one’s mood or a way to relieve stress. This term is quite common among college students as they use it as a source to combat the stress in their daily lives. Without a doubt, I have indulged in retail therapy before as well. This can be in the form of food, clothes, video games, pretty much anything you can think of. However, there are consequences to retail therapy, specifically financial stress. According to the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers who engage in retail therapy can experience an increase in happiness. After shopping, people will become elated…
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How I Find Balance When Indulgences Become a Habit
Submitted by Angelina Ng After a long, stressful, week of classes, I found myself rewarding my small behaviors a little too much. It would bring me so much joy in such an easy process: find something I like, take out my card, and now I have it! There are some small indulgences I would do after I complete a task: go out and buy a snack, go to small shops and buy some jewelry, allow myself to eat more snacks, or get a large drink from Dunkin Donuts. These small actions definitely made me feel accomplished for my hard work throughout the week, but it eventually started to feel costly…
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Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking in Asia
Submitted by Daniella Avisado Backpacking through Asia is a dream for many travelers, including myself. Although I’ve personally never been to Asia before, there are tons of vloggers & influencers out there that have documented their experiences. I’ve definitely learned a few things from them and would love to share my knowledge with you all. Here’s a guide to help you potentially start your journey: 1. Choosing Your Destinations Asia is incredibly diverse, with countries that differ in culture, climate, and cost. As a beginner, it’s essential to narrow down your options based on your interests. Popular backpacking routes include: Southeast Asia: Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos are…
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Things We Can Do Now For a Better Tomorrow
Even if we have bad days, we can always set ourselves up to have a better day tomorrow. As annoying as it may sound, small tasks that we do and may not think twice about have a big impact on our future. With this in mind, here’s a list of things that we can do now and throughout our day to set ourselves up for a better tomorrow.
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A Letter to My Past and Future Self
Dear Past and Future Me, I sit down to write this letter currently at the age of 20 years, 6 months, and 26 days. I find myself in a moment of reflection, caught between the memories of my past and the expectations of my future. At 20 years old, I stand on the threshold of adulthood as well as feeling like a child. I have thoughts of unrealistic dreams of the future like a child, but harsh realities headed my adult life. However...
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Why does it feel easier to make other Asian friends?
As someone who struggled growing up with double identities, I often wonder what group of people I most identify with and conform to. As someone who struggles to speak my native tongue or simply write my Korean name, I realized my reliance on my “Americanness” and its influence on what I perceive myself to be. Growing up as an immigrant, my biggest wish was to be accepted into the American culture and community. I would approach my white friends with hope that they would accept me as their own. I was lucky enough to have it easy making friends with this mindset, and I grew up surrounded by diverse friend…
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Why Food Looks Better on Social Media: There’s More Than ‘Meats’ The Eye
The bountiful ideas of food are extremely popular and trendy on social media. People capturing their favorite restaurant on Instagram with their favorite meal, YouTubers sharing a delicious recipe, or advertisements to promote food. We’ve seen it everywhere in the media and would almost always crave the delectables being shared online. From vibrant and stunning meals to persuasive advertisements in the media, any mouth-watering dish will attract the eye. However, a recipe or a dish on social media can turn out the complete opposite in person: the deception of food on social media conveys the fraud and inaccuracy of how people view certain posts on social media.
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Must Buy Items from the Asian Market
With Thanksgiving coming up, here are some MUST TRY items from local Asian Markets.
