Step by Step 

You can do it, you can do it, I thought to myself. I looked around me, and it was pitch black dark. The only sounds were the rustling of the leaves, a soft murmur of the students, and piercing howls of the owls around me. I looked up, hoping to get some light from the moon, but the long, leafy branches of the trees obscured my vision.In the distance, I caught a glimpse of the two glowing eyes of a deer. Science Camp had definitely been an interesting and adventurous experience, but this activity was definitely eccentric.

     “Listen up everyone,” rang the voice of my camp leader, “ You all are going to do something called the ‘solo walk’. Basically, you are going to walk along a straight trail by yourself, trying not to use a flashlight. If you aren’t comfortable, you can turn it on once, but I highly recommend you trust your senses. You will know you are done with the walk once you see my lantern.”

I could barely make out the silhouette of my camp leader. I saw the tips of her auburn hair glistening, and her bright green eyes intensely gazing at all of us.

“ You all are going to line up. The ones who are most comfortable with walking without a flashlight can go towards the front. I am going to walk on the trail, and the parent chaperone will tell you when to go, one by one. Remember, once you see the lantern, you know you have found me. Okay?”

“Okay,” we chorused.

In a matter of seconds, we quickly arranged ourselves in a line. In the back, people pushed each other in front of them, shaking with fear. The bold ones confidently stood at the front. I really didn’t know where to go, so I ended up sandwiched smack in the middle of the line. I looked around at the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains. I wondered what mysterious wildlife was doing in the midst of all the greenery. I felt a mixture of emotions swirling inside of me like a whirlpool. As I got closer and closer to the front, I felt the excitement slowly drain out of me. What if I got lost, and not found? What if something would happen to me, and I wouldn’t reach the end? I tried to push the doubt away, but it kept coming back like an annoying fly.  I wasn’t the most adventurous person, and I hoped this new challenge would help me gain insight on what it really was like to experience life in the wilderness.

      “Time to go, Nevin.”

I took a deep breath, swallowed up my fear, and stepped on the path. Crunch. One step done. Crunch. Step two. I felt my heart pounding out of my chest, and all my fears were unleashed like fireflies out of a jar. Don’t let it get to your head, I thought. Suddenly, I felt a bump. Where was I? What was in front of me. I tried to use my sense of smell, touch, and sound, but I still didn’t know where I was. Surely I hadn’t got lost anymore. Don’t turn on the flashlight. But my subconscious mind got the best of me, as my sweaty thumb pressed the button. Instantly, a beam of light illuminated the path, but I quickly turned it off milliseconds later. It was just a tree in front of me.I wasn’t going to take any more shortcuts. I was going to find the lantern, and finish the rest of the trail without the help of the flashlight.

I channeled all my inner determination. It was like my instincts finally were revitalized. Step, by step by step, I slowly walked in the direction of the trail. I scanned my surroundings intently, walking with caution, but also with determination and perseverance. Eventually, I came to a small fork. I looked around, and took a step to the left. When in doubt, go left. Or was it right. I took one last glance to the right, and saw a glowing lantern. There it was. Regaining my confidence, I walked to my leader. She nodded, and put her finger to her lips.  The next person would be coming soon. I sighed in relief. I did it. Step by step by step.

Funerals

          In honor of 9/11, I  would like to share a meaningful poem I wrote about funerals earlier this year. 

                                                            Funerals

Funerals

Tragic and sad but so reminiscent

Haunting you with memories

Of the ones who were so close to you

Funerals

Miserable celebrations

Blocking all light and happiness

Softened up with the warmth of delicate white roses

Funerals

Trying to reconstruct

Bonds of love and respect

But sometimes, you just can’t

       Your very last memories of those who were close to you

                               Shattered like broken glass

Going, going, gone

Rest in Peace

People to People 2015: Reflections and Experience

                   In the previous school year, I was selected to participate in a program called People to People. People to People is an ambassador program started many years ago. Basically, it takes a group of children all over the USA to a foreign country or countries. My adventure was entitled "Tale of Two Cities," so I went to England and France for about two weeks. It was truly an amazing experience and I got to do things people would only dream of doing, and am extremely grateful for my trip. First of all, I got to meet a lot of new different people and also be exposed to cultures around the world. This traveling experience boosted my independence as well as confidence.  Over time, we all got to make new friends and get to know each other very well. Some of the things I did included:

• visit the Palace of Versailles
• go to Disneyland Paris
• climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower
• visit the English cathedral with the tallest spire and oldest working clock in the world
• go through a rafting challenge and mud obstacle course
• view a theater production in England called "The Railway Children"
• travel on the London Eye
• meet with a former MP(member of Parliament)

These are only some of the amazing places I went to. I jotted everything that happened each day of the drip to keep as a memoir. I might post one of my more interesting journal entries on this blog in the future. Overall, this was one of the most pivotal experiences of my life.

(I will try to post some pictures in my future post.)

            Warning Labels on Sugary Drinks? My thoughts.

It’s big! It’s bad! It’s a murderer! I’m talking about a soda can. This sneaky fellow can increase your risk of having a heart attack by 20%! It’s time we call the sugar police. And I’m talking about warning labels. California is considering putting warning labels on sugary drinks because they are causing lots of health problems. Sugary drinks, such as soda, should most definitely have warning labels on them.

 First of all,  sugar is super addictive! Warning labels will most definitely decrease the amount of sugar one consumes a day, and obesity rates will conclusively go down! According to Marcola.com, a health website, seventy percent of Americans are overweight, it will increase to seventy five percent in 2020, and eight six percent in 2030! My evidence proves that obesity rates will just keep increasing, because of our addiction to sugar! If we don’t put a stop to that now, more and more people will get diagnosed with sugar related illnesses. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “In the 1970’s sugary drinks made up 4% US daily calorie intake; by 2001, that had risen to 9%.” This evidence proves that sugary drinks are playing a huge role in  the excess sugar being eaten per day, and if we do not put warning labels on sugary drinks, people are going to keep consuming large amounts of sugar.

Sugar is also super unhealthy! That is the main reason why warning labels should be put on sugary drinks! This poison has found it’s way into every food, and is causing diseases, such as diabetes, heart attack, and even some cancers! According to New York Times, “ The many numbers all point in the same direction. Look at heart disease: The INTERHEART study of 30,000 men and women in 52 countries showed that at least 90 percent of heart disease is lifestyle related; a European study of more than 23,000 Germans showed that people with healthier lifestyles had an 81 percent lower risk.” This evidence proves that sugar is not only a problem in America, but in the whole world. If we take the first steps by putting warning labels on sugary drinks, everyone else will follow!

            Just wait a second. Why are sugary drinks being singled out? Aren’t there many other foods that mainly cause these health issues? Nope. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “Children and youth in the US averaged 224 calories per day from sugary beverages in 1999 to 2004-nearly 11% of their daily calorie intake. From 1998 to 2008, calories from sugary beverages increased by 60% in children ages 6 to 11 130-209 calories per day, and the percentage of children consuming them rose from 79% to 91%.” My evidence proves that sugar from sugary drinks are by far the biggest cause of problems like obesity, and are not being singled out. Warning labels will help solve this problem.

  In conclusion, warning labels should be put on every sugary drink there is. They are guaranteed to be effective, sugar is addictive, and it causes tons of health problems. It must be stopped. Warning labels are the perfect solution. Next time you go to the grocery store, think twice before picking up that can of soda.

Season Haiku

 

Spring

Rich blossoms blooming

In the breezy scented air

Spring has now arrived

Winter

The wind is howling

Powdery white snow falling

Time to build snowmen

Fall

The air is chilly

Golden,brown, and crimson leaves

Falling to the ground

Summer

Sidewalks are broiling

You're stifling in the heat

Time to go swimming

My Trip to India

     I have taken a variety of vacations. Out of all of them, one particularly stands out; my 2013-2014 India trip. In this trip, I had fun in a unique way. I didn't just relax and play games, I got a chance to understand my heritage by meeting people, viewing historical monuments, and learning new customs. India was definitely more than meets the eye. There were strange laws(no seat belts necessary for backseat drivers), many people faced hardships(being homeless), and nature was respected a lot.  This trip was certainly an amazing one.

  Finally, after two long tiring flights, my family  and I  reached my grandparents' apartment in Mumbai, India. Although the air was polluted, I loved to observe the hustling and bustling in the Mumbai streets and feel the tension in the air as the trees beckoned people to go faster and the caws of the crows urged people to get out of their apartments and get moving! The  next day, my family(including grandparents) went to my cousins engagement, a big event where I met many relatives on my mom's side of the family. Throughout the rest of the week, we made multiple visits to my mom's school. We walked through canopies of trees, which shielded us from the intense heat and led us to the small, dusty building that looked slightly run down.

   After visiting Mumbai, we traveled by jeep to Pune, where my other grandparents lived. Pune was somewhat cleaner and less polluted. In Pune, I went to a family reunion, where I met many relatives on my dad's side of the family.  I also met many family friends and learned common Indian games such as carom. To celebrate New Years',  I went to a delicious seafood restaurant with my cousins, learned cricket from them, and stayed up until midnight with them.

  Then, my family went by plane to Chennai. In Chennai, we stayed in a wonderful, comfy hotel with a spectacular view. We saw many beautiful tourist attractions such as a temple made out of stones, and old fashioned homes. When we ate in restaurants,  I noticed people serving food in banana leaves. We also wet to the Bay of Bengal, where I bought a seashell. 

Finally, we traveled back to Mumbai. I saw a variety of tourist attractions that dazzled me. One of them was the "Queen's Necklace", a circular shoreline with houses that lit up at night, looking like a necklace. We also drove over the Arabian Sea and saw the Gateway of India, a castle like chocolate brown building. My favorite tourist attraction was the Taj Mahal Hotel, a milky white colored hotel that is one of the most expensive hotels in the world.

   Many of my vacations have been wonderful and unique. Out of all them, my 2013-2014 India trip is the most memorable. I got a deep understanding of Indian life, culture, and landmarks. This trip will be another memento in my "Detours and Tours" collection.

(Photos: Courtesy My Dad)