4 - Blu M. The Day I Felt Like Gordon Ramsey

 Many people have heard of the saying “food is the key to my heart.” In my case, this is most certainly true. Ever since I could remember, my experiences with food have all been memorable, whether it’s eating a dish from my childhood (served in the same exact bowl), or sharing these really horrible fries at a diner with one of my best friends. Each meal has come with an equally amazing memory. But, there is just one experience that has yet to be topped by any other.

Michael Warring.

Exactly 10 months ago today, I got the lucky privilege of eating at Michael Warring, a Michelin star restaurant, for my 16th birthday. It amazes me that I’m able to let those words spill out of my mouth. I got to experience this kind of luxury just in the duration of a meal, and it was something I could only imagine someone famous doing,

Upon arrival, the atmosphere hit me in the face, like walking out in the early morning with fog rolling all around. The setting was intimate, around 6 tables with counter seating. It was so similar to sitting at my own bar area at home, kitchen perfectly in view. Now, that’s enough about setting, let’s talk food.

One thing that stood out about this dinner was that it was a prix fixed meal, meaning that each dish was already chosen for you at a set price. Overall, there were 12 courses and there was no changing what had been set in stone, or pots and pans. Rather than touching on each dish, I’ll be talking about some of my favorite bites, since 12 courses would be quite difficult to fit in the word count I have remaining.

One of the most remarkable tasting experiences I have ever had, and it was within the first bite of my meal. There was this small savory custard dish, pictured at the top of the middle image below. I hate any kind of egg dish, but this one really was incredible. The contrasting savory flavors, freshly paired with radishes and… raw meat?! Beef tartare, to be exact. I was shocked by the fact that I could enjoy something as peculiar, as WONDERFUL as this.

Now, my favorite piece from this entire experience was within the main courses. Truffle agnolotti, essentially like little fancy tortellini. The entirety of the 12 course meal combined an asian influence with that of an Italian essence, something I never would really think. This dish though… wow, umami is the only word that can explain what I experienced. If you have ever watched Ratatouille, and saw what Remy imagined when he ate that strawberry and cheese together. That was absolutely me. The experience felt surreal! The savoriness of the little pasta pockets, the earthiness of the truffle, the sweetness of the soy mirin broth, wow. Just thinking about this is making my mouth water… The only thing that I didn’t like about this dish was that there was so little! I could’ve easily scarfed down 50 bowls, I swear.

The entire experience I had at Michael Warring was incredible, and I really wish to go back again, despite that huge ticket price… I’m sorry mom! It was most definitely one of the best dishes I have ever had in my life, flavor experiences I had never imagined. GEEZ, getting a little emotional. I felt like a celebrity there, I felt so honored to eat something so wonderful

I felt like Gordon Ramsey.

Word Count: 585

4 - Lilly T: You and Your Practice

 

Practicing something is often seen as tedious by a lot of people, and it’s true. It takes time, patience, and knowledge to be able to practice efficiently. In my own time, I practice the violin, and sometimes the piano. Playing an instrument may look easy, but it requires a lot of effort and skill to be able to play it well. 

During my practice time, you would hear me run scales, focusing on intonation and tone. When I’m lazy, I play through pieces that I like and then move on with my day. Other days I would actually practice for 1-3 hours, working on specific parts of my music. 

Practicing itself can be tedious and boring, but you as the musician have to make it fun for yourself. For me, I like to keep the room a little dark to create a comfortable, cozy atmosphere for myself. I also like to sight read, as it keeps me interested in what I’m doing.

Not only does “practice make perfect,” but it also helps you find out more about yourself.

Word Count: 178

4 - Alejandro M: Phones? So Rude

 

You are in a conversation with a group of people. Everyone is having fun and is being engaged, and then you all see one person with their phone. What does everyone think about them? That the person is not interested at all about what you all are talking about. This is the most classic example of how using your phones while with other people is seen as being rude.

Phones are now a necessity for most people in this world, especially here in the US. It has transformed our society heavily, in good and bad ways. It allows us to communicate so quickly to many different people and it can entertain us with certain apps. But with all this, sometimes being on your phone can just be too much. 

Most people don’t realize it, but we usually put our phones away during times where it can be seen as rude. For instance, when you are on your phone and somebody asks or tells you something, what do you usually do? You put your phone down. It’s a natural habit since we know it’s rude to still be on your phones during those instances.

Now imagine yourself working at a cashier in a restaurant, you are ready to take their order, but the customer is just on their phones. You wait and you wait. What do you think of that person in your head? RUDE. You are at the movies and some person around you is on their phone, either with their brightness up or with their ringer on. What do you think of that person? RUDE.

Phones are a part of our world nowadays. Almost everything in our world revolves around phones. But there are still times where using your phone might not be the best idea. Nobody wants to be called rude; therefore, you should now consider the times when using your phone might get somebody else upset.

Word Count: 319

4-Krishna C: Core Memory

 

When I was 14 my brother was starting my freshman year of college at UCSB. At Wood though he was the star soccer player and decided to try to walk on at college.

My brother was good enough to make the team…but a harsh injury he suffered his Jr. year left him not able to do intense cardio without feeling an intense pain in my gut.

When he was forced to stop playing sports he became very sad and down on himself. It made it worse that it wasn’t because of his own skill but because his body failed him.

Because my brother was off at college and I was dealing with my own problems I didn't see the way he was feeling. 

One day I heard from my mom that he said that he was feeling a little jealous of me, so I decided to ask him. When I asked him, he told me that what I heard is true. 

     Hearing that from someone I had looked up to my whole life changed my entire view of my brother. I had felt betrayed, confused, and hurt by what he said because it was something I couldn't control and only wanted his support.

    

    I could've been mad at him.

    I chose not to be.

    

    I understood that it hurt badly having the thing you love ripped away from you and this gave me a new outlook on sports.

    After that conversation I knew that I needed to play sports like everyday could be my last. I also took my brother with me to every game and practiced mentally. 

    That way his sports life would never die.

WC-276

4 - Lucas V: A Necessary Device to See

    

    Glasses can have many uses for them. Whether it’s for better vision, safety, or even just to look cool when at a beach. When wearing a combination of different glasses, sometimes it is hard as it doesn’t really fit onto a person’s face. As a person who wears glasses, they can act like safety glasses or sunglasses combined with the prescription. For me, I have transitions which are lenses that turn black when there are ultraviolet rays coming from the sun. As having those lenses or regular glasses, you can choose your own frames which would let there be lots of flexibility on what style you are trying to go for. Glasses have revolutionized our people as it makes a person has perfect 20/20 eyesight.

    As a person who wore glasses since third grade, they have really helped me during class because I can’t see the board. The reason behind this could be anything. Could be genes or you just can’t see anymore because you’re getting older. WIth wearing these for almost eight years, I have mostly gotten used to them. As an Asian wearing glasses, there are stereotypes that say that people like myself are smart so people are always asking for answers for homework or explanations on what that person has done wrong on their test. Having asked many times on those topics, I just do them because I help people out.

    The glasses that I wear now are actually the same frames from back in third grade but with a stronger prescription. The type of frame that I wear defines who I am and people wouldn’t really recognize me without that specific frame. It is my appearance that I have created a long time ago. Back then I didn’t even know that glasses were going to be permanent as I was to only wear them in a classroom to see the whiteboard which is pretty funny. If I went back in time, I couldn’t even recognize myself from the future or the past.

4 - Antonio L. - Hopelessness

Hopelessness

 

    When analyzing the quote "We do not have the right to sit and feel hopeless. There's too much work to be done," Hopelessness must be understood first. It can be described as losing all faith or belief towards something or someone, maybe even yourself. This usually results in people not wanting to do much or anything, because they feel there's no purpose. When people use the word "hopeless", they usually talk about themselves and how their current situation is just that, hopeless. 

    A part of life however, a big part in fact, is work. Work provides people with a purpose, a task required to do, something to pass the time, another thing to prioritize in life, something you can view in many ways. And the best thing about work is that it's almost always rewarded. But what if someone wasn't? What if throughout all the work someone’s done, all the effort and time they spent doing their best, they weren't rewarded? That's when people start to feel hopeless, the one thing they've relied on for a purpose never really mattered, that makes people question their own purpose. That's why no one likes to do work.

    But if people have the free time to mope around and begin asking questions to themselves, then they have the time to continue working, as work never stops. Wherever people go, there will always be work for them to do, and ONLY them. The work will continue to come through and pile up, seemingly with no end, but after it's done, you get a different kind of reward. This reward doesn't come in physical form like food or money (though most likely it is), This reward is called relief.

    This relief is a mental break for yourself, as for a moment, you don't have to worry so much about being forced to do something. You can do your own things now. For once, hope can be felt, all of a sudden, not everything's not so bleak. There’s now belief that everything’s going to be smooth sailing from here. 

Belief can also be described as a choice, for example, not all people believe the ideology of karma. This is a choice made by people as they’re their own individuals and are free-thinkers. But can feeling hopeless be a choice? Obviously no, since so many people feel that it isn’t, but really, it is (I know I’m wrong, just hear me out). When someone’s sad, they tend to focus on the negatives, and that’s a choice, the same way someone can think about the positives in that same situation.

What I’m getting to is that current situations don’t determine how someone feels, only that person can determine how to react. No one pressures one another to feel certain ways in certain situations. However, one must know to not feel hopeless in the face of work, as it proves that inanimate objects and knowledge bested them.

Word Count: 488

4 - Charlene H: The Value of Selflessness

 

Word of the Week: Selfless

One important thing to acknowledge is that life isn’t always about our own needs, goals, and preferences. In a world largely operated by egotists, those who act only selfishly end up being limited to a mindset only beneficial to them, preventing any form of emotional growth. Selflessness is the opposite of ego, and sometimes, it is necessary to look out for other people. In simple terms, when a person is selfless, that person is putting other people’s needs before their own. Overall, selflessness is a trait that improves both society and people.

Being selfless means wanting to help other people when given the opportunity to. It’s about focusing on other people and expressing concern for them. When a person cares so deeply about someone that they would go to great lengths to help, they are also said to be selfless. It’s doing someone a favor no matter how painful or easy it is. Being selfless is also a choice to make a difference.

There are benefits to selfless acts and gestures. For example, selflessness fosters tolerance and strengthens relationships. Though selflessness is meant to benefit the people whose needs are being cared for, it can also benefit the person carrying out the selfless acts. Selflessness can help a person grow emotionally, allow them to become more observant and receptive to the needs of others, expand the person’s sense of self and identity, and even broaden the person’s perspective and perception of the world. However, it is important to remember that selflessness involves caring for and giving to others without expecting anything in return. Providing help to others out of a desire for acceptance, out of a desire to “prove worth,” or out of an expectation of a reward is not selflessness. Doing the right thing for others should be the core motivation behind selflessness.

As for my introverted self, I try to be selfless when it comes to people I deeply care about, and I am not judgmental of them. When I am in their company, my own needs become less important, as I respect their needs over my own. I care about others more than myself, and I tend to purposely neglect my own interests and happiness. However, I do understand that there needs to be a balance between my own happiness and others’ happiness. I don’t like to express my own self a lot, because I feel unworthy of attention and don’t necessarily want a lot of people to be extremely concerned or worried about me. I try to make sure that I put my effort into the people I care about, because I want them to do well and to achieve healing. But I know I can not fix everything, and that idea in itself is extremely unrealistic. Even though I find it hard to trust people, I always offer love, support, and help even to those I do not know well, because I believe everyone should reach their full potential.

Word Count: 494