6. Pretzels 2025

Nearly every time I open the camera app on my phone, a warning notification pops up on my screen saying “Iphone Storage Almost Full.” Although I am aware that the photos app takes up more than 80 percent of my storage, I still refuse to delete photos or videos from the past years.  I find it meaningful to document my experiences—whether big or small—through the lens of a camera. It’s almost as if it gives the power to “time-travel” since you are able to capture, or trap your memories and revisit them anytime you desire. No matter how long the photo or video was taken in, you are able to vividly re-experience those memories. However, I do acknowledge that it is dangerous to dwell on the past. Being obsessively nostalgic about old memories could cause one to form serious regrets and yearning to go back to the old times. This severely hinders an individual’s opportunities for growth as their view is limited to the past, which blinds them from seeing the amazing, fantastic, wonderful,...

“Um, so like–” Stop, stop, stop. Stop . Let’s try that again. “You know, like the, uh–” Ugh, I’m hopeless . In the span of a few words, that used to be what my conversations sounded like. Every time. Whether it be in the middle of a class, at recess, or at home with a friend. Every. Single. Time. It was quite frustrating to have more filler words in my sentences rather than the ones that carried actual essence in my speech. Now, I’ve always been more reserved and drawn back—unless I’m with friends, of course. But that doesn’t even nearly begin to justify my almost stuttered speech with a heavy reliance on filler words. "Filler words kind of, like, kill your credibility." - Courtesy of WordPress.com While I do remain grateful for the cultural connections that form as a result, I can’t help but hold my multilingual past liable for my wavering speech. When I freshly moved here at the age of nine from India, I thought that the English spoken here could sometimes be a bit rapid t...

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could read minds? You would know if your feelings are reciprocated instantly. Apparently if someone likes you, they naturally point their feet towards you. They mimic your actions and subconsciously adjust their posture whenever they see you. Their pupils dilate in your presence. This is what I learned when I came across TikToks from @spicycokezero , who extensively covers “psychology facts about crushes.” Even though psychologists can’t scientifically prove that someone likes you through their behavior, they have a higher chance of knowing—knowing if they like you, if they dislike you, if they are lying… Actually, it kind of creeps me out. What do you mean you can tell when I’m lying by the way my eyes are moving around? What do you mean you can just tell if someone dislikes you through their body language? I mean everyone can tell to a certain extent, but I think analyzing feet positioning and pupils to understand someone’s feelings is sort of creepy…  B...

Let's go back 12 years now. You are 4, maybe 5 years old now. Life is simple. The most difficult decision of the day is choosing what crayon to color in the flower classwork assignment. And then, every afternoon, something magical happens. Somebody, maybe your parents or daycare teacher, tells you "It's nap time." Initially, you dread it, but soon enough you fall asleep drooling onto your pillow. When you wake up you feel refreshed and full of energy.  However, at some point, we decided that napping was for babies. We became older and could "push through" exhaustion. But did we? Maybe four-year-old us had it all figured out. Many adults today consume exorbitant amounts of caffeine, staring blankly at their computer screen, wishing for a quick break—wishing to lie in bed, recharge, and head back to work.  This personally has worked for me. As soon as I get home, I hop into my bed take a quick nap and recharge. Considered to be "weird" by my friends,...

Two phrases that are often said every day: when I want to get takeout, or when I need help on a math question, or when someone picks up my pencil. Simple yet short phrases. Capturing what could be said through long, thoughtful stories in just a few concise words. Two phrases I never really understood yet stuck to me like glue.  It’s a complimentary gesture to respect those around you–whether you feel immense adoration or extreme contempt. The shallow and complicated feelings that can be similarly portrayed or left out makes the idea special. From family to strangers, “Please” and “Thank you” can be used in various situations to alleviate the seeming discomfort and stiffness in the air, washing over people like a breath of fresh air through the respect they are given.  At the same time, “Please” can be commonly seen in contexts of desperation. In many theatrical shows, characters often cry relentlessly as they beg for mercy, as commonly seen in shows where a villain or hero beg...

Why did you click on this blog?  You probably have better things to do. But since you’re here now, you might as well keep going. That’s exactly how clickbait gets you! It drags you out like a toddler with a secret and never gives you the candy you thought you would get from that stranger.           A Hook and a Click Yeah, I think everyone’s experienced this. We’re just minding our own business and then something pops up saying: 📢 "You Won’t Believe What Happens Next!" 📢 “This One Secret Hack Will Change Your Life!” What? What’s gonna happen? What’s the hack? My life could probably use some changing.  And guess what? Now you’re in, and the answer doesn’t show up until you’re 15 minutes down a rabbit hole.           Mindgames… If I had to humanize clickbait for an APENG assignment, I would say it’s like a friend who goes like, “OMG I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING RN!!!........nvm.” Like now I need to know. This is calle...

In most of our English classes in both high school and middle school, there has always been a pretty clear emphasis on written language as opposed to verbal language. If we look at the AP Exam for this class, it requires us to write three essays and complete MCQs that assess our reading comprehension and rhetorical skills. However, none of the AP exam tests our verbal communication skills, and instead assesses our English ability solely on the basis of reading comprehension and writing. This raises the question, however, regarding whether this is the right move for English classes around the country. Although most English classes involve some group work or presentations that involve spoken language skills, it is never assessed in a standardized way similar to the AP Exams or the SAT. I got the idea to write this blog post from my friend who’s currently a senior at AHS, Stavya Gaonkar (12). He asked me about what I thought regarding the annotations and other written work we do for AP E...