In recent months, the term “adulting” has become an increasingly popular term to describe the act of doing things that a responsible adult does. As someone beginning to transition from adolescence into early adulthood and slowly beginning to realize all of the responsibility that I’m going to need to start taking on, I take great pride…
It’s very difficult to put into words how music can even begin to quantify the human spirit and how it captures and preserves our most precious moments, feelings and memories. I oftentimes find myself referring to a song, album or playlist when I can’t find the words to say what I’m feeling. As someone who…
Many amazing people applied to be the school valedictorian, but I was not selected. Thankfully, many of my good friends made it to the following rounds and I am so happy for them! That being said, this is my personal take on the graduation experience, an open letter to the graduating class. You are corralled into…
Strikingly, many high achievers told me music opened up the pathways to creative thinking. And their experiences suggest that music training sharpens other qualities: Collaboration. The ability to listen. A way of thinking that weaves together disparate ideas. The power to focus on the present and the future simultaneously. – From NY Times article “Is…
When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind. – Patrick Rothfuss, from “The Name of the Wind” Do you wish you could return back to childhood?…
I was raised in a conservative home, with high expectations and little room for error. Although I rarely did what I was told, I forged a somewhat approvable path of relative achievement. I respected myself and despite my short dress phase, mostly my clothing reflected the seriousness to which I approached life. I began experimenting…
What do you want to be when you grow up? I’m sure we’ve all heard this question before. How does it make you feel? It makes me feel uncomfortable and pressured to make a decision. It’s something that we may ask young children just for fun. You’re amused by their cute answers of: “I want…
Intense nostalgia. Wishing to go back in time. Constant reminiscing of the past. All symptoms of growing up. The other day, as I was walking outside, I passed by an old memory. The school I had gone to for my first few years of elementary school. And although I had passed by it nearly everyday…
As teenagers growing up, we’re beginning to face daily struggles and pressures revolving around one question; what are we going to do with our lives? I can say my biggest fear is amounting to absolutely nothing. While I know (ok, strongly hope) that won’t happen; there is the slight, terrifying possibility it could. Which is…
Lately I have been a lot more reflective about what I want my future to look like. However, those reflections do not only revolve around university, what to study, and where I see myself in 10 to 15 years. Often, teenagers are so preoccupied with getting through high school by thinking about where they will…
They say our teenage years will be the time of our lives but does that mean once we are mature the fun will mysteriously disappear? Well in my case I hope it doesn’t because I believe we live to have fun and enjoy. Let’s be serious, do people work all their lives for nothing? No…
Two things: Mr. Simple and life. Recently, my friend sent me a link to a music video of the song Mr. Simple by Super Junior (I’m shameful because I’m Korean and my non-Korean friend had to tell me about it). For those of you who just hum along and dance to it but don’t actually…
As we finish off yet another exciting year of school, we begin to realize just how fast we are all growing up. For me, it is the end of Grade 11 in high school. And soon, I will be embarking on another busy year, my final year of high school. The idea of growing up…