Author: Brooke

Snapshots: Youth and Government Conference

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Hello everyone!

This past weekend I was at my second Training and Elections Youth and Government conference in Fresno, CA. It was a very fun but sleep-deprived time, and the weekend honestly flew by. I didn’t have time to write about each day of the conference during the day, but I wanted to share a little bit about the experience. I’ll be including a few pictures and anecdotes from the weekend for you to enjoy, so keep on reading!

The first thing we saw when we realized we were in Fresno. It’s actually a really interesting city.
My view from our seats at joint opening session. At each joint session, there’s a chaplain speech and usually the Youth Governor comes up at some point.
The iconic Valdez Hall where we ate all our meals. I ate about half of my meals from food trucks in the dirt lot next door, and they were actually really good.
A blurry photo of the craziness that ensued when the fire alarm got pulled during social hour Sunday night. Imagine 3600 people evacuating a convention center… luckily it was a false alarm.

I know this isn’t much to show for a whole weekend of learning and activities, but to be fair, we weren’t allowed to have our phones out during almost all sessions. If you have any questions about Youth and Government or what goes on at conferences, please let me know! I’m not the best person to ask since it’s my first year, but I can still point you in the right direction and give you some references.

Brooke

How to Find & Apply To Summer Programs

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Welcome back everyone!

If you’re been reading my blog for a while, you’d know that I’ve been trying to figure out my summer plans and apply for some summer programs related to things I’m interested in. I’m mainly focused on finding a cool program for creative writing (let me know if you want a list because I’ve found sooo many from searching), but there’s tons of programs for pretty much every interest and extracurricular out there. It’s pretty overwhelming, which is why I’m still having indecisive troubles figuring out which ones to ultimately apply to. If you’re interested in finding out more about how to seek these programs out and apply, keep on reading.

  • Figure out what you would want to pursue at a program – What are you most interested at the moment? A program is only worth it if you know you’ll really enjoy it, learn from it, and get a lot out of it. If you have a main hobby (a sport, art/music, etc.) or a favorite subject, think about taking that to the next level by going to a summer program where you can spend a week or a few weeks really diving into that interest.
  • Do detailed research and compile a master list – I would start by just looking up “summer program for high schoolers” and your topic of interest. There are detailed lists on websites like College Confidential and the Applying to College thread on Reddit, if you want a wider range of topics to start out looking at. Don’t be sucked in by super expensive pre-college programs- it’s probably not worth it unless you’re genuinely interested and have the (significant amount of) money to spare. Cheaper/free programs are better in most cases, and you will come across them with more research- lesser known/smaller local programs are great too if they fit your interest!
  • Filter out programs by price, location, length, age eligibility, etc. – This is the most important step. Depending on how long you want to be gone, how much money you’re willing to spend, and what grade you’re in, it can narrow down a lot of possibilities. I would form a list of criteria before you start thinking about actually applying anywhere- it will make it a lot easier to narrow it down to only a few programs of interest.
  • Do more detailed research to see what the best fit would be – Once you’ve narrowed it down, now see what actually sounds the most fun and best for you. If there’s impressive advisers/staff/teachers/etc. or it’s in a location you’d like to visit, those are pluses! It’s kind of like a mini-college search- sift through to find what actually sounds most fun to you.
  • Work on essays/questionnaires over time – I think it’s important to start early since you don’t want to stress yourself out over an application for a program that’s supposed to be fun. The bulk of most applications besides a transcript and recommendations is probably essays or other supplements, so start these in advance.
  • Ask a teacher related to the subject or one you know best for a recommendation – Most programs will require recommendations, so make sure you’re prepared to ask for one in advance. If the program is geared towards a specific academic subject, try to ask a teacher in that subject or field. If it doesn’t really matter, I would just ask any teacher/mentor that knows you really well.
  • Hope for the best! – A summer program is definitely not a make or break of having a good summer or a productive activity. It can be a nice way to get out of your comfort zone, but there are plenty more local things you can do that are just as impressive and exciting. That being said, if you apply, I hope you get in!

I hope this gave you a little more insight on what goes into finding the right summer program for you. I’ve done a lot of research on this so if you need any pointers on where to look or what programs might go with your interest, let me know! I’d be happy to point you in the right direction if I can. Also, I am by no means an expert on this- it’s just something I’ve been interested in myself. I’m hoping to attend a writing program this summer, but I have no clue if it will end up working out. Of course, I’ll keep you posted 🙂

Brooke

Girl’s Guide to Living With Grandparents/Living in A Crowded House

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Hello everyone!

Recently my grandmother moved in with my family, and it’s been chaotic to say the least. We live in a pretty small house, and it’s become even more crowded with the introduction of my grandmother and her miniature-Pinscher dog. I know a lot of other people live with their grandparents or just experience crowded family living situations, so I thought it would be helpful to offer my two cents on how to make these hectic conditions a bit smoother. I know it’s an adjustment as anything is, and I know I’m privileged to even have the living situation that I’m currently in, so don’t take this as me complaining 🙂

  • Establish boundaries, and stick to them – This is a two-way street. There will probably need to be compromises on both ends, and that’s just how it is. I would hope that all parties involved at least understand common courtesy (not having the T.V. on loud at night, not having loud phone calls on speaker phone, etc.) but depending on the people and situation you may need to clarify these things. It’s best if everyone has some sort of defined space as their own, especially when it comes to storage. In the bathroom it can be a drawer, in a bedroom it can be a side of the room or a corner- it all depends.
  • Figure out transportation – This also depends on the situation, because if everyone has their own car and can transport themselves, you don’t really have an issue. I’m not old enough to drive yet and I depend on my parents to take me everywhere, and my grandma isn’t really comfortable driving on crazy California freeways and roads- she also doesn’t have a car here at the moment. If my parents are taking my grandma to an appointment or to get her errands done, I’m stuck at home or stranded elsewhere. Luckily I’ll be able to drive soon, but right now we have to do a lot of planning in advance to make sure everyone’s getting where they need to go… which means spontaneous plans with friends are limited.
  • Have time to get away – I’m busy with a lot of extracurriculars and my schoolwork, so I don’t even spend that much time at home. I also try to be social and spend time with my friends as much as I can, so that’s even more time out of my house. This makes it a little easier to deal with the craziness at home- I’m not actually home very often, besides sleeping and eating and working. It really helps if you have lots of time in your schedule where you’ll be elsewhere, away from the chaos.
  • Find your “zen” space at home – No matter how cramped or crazy it is, there has to be some spot at home that you can go to for relaxation. It can be in your backyard, front yard, or even just somewhere else in your neighborhood if your actual house is too much for you. What matters is it’s a place of tranquility that you can easily access without having to depend on anyone else and where you won’t get disturbed. For me, I have a couple go-to places- the bathroom (I know, it’s weird), a corner of my room, and this one spot in my backyard outside if it’s warm out.
  • Know that everyone probably feels the same way and you just need to communicate – If you’re getting overwhelmed and feeling tension, chances are you’re not the only one. These situations require everyone to cooperate with each other and be comfortable speaking up when something’s bugging them or they need to make a change. I know there’s not much you can do or control as a kid in this situation, but you can still (respectfully) advocate for yourself if you feel boundaries are being overstepped or you don’t have enough privacy.

I know these types of situations can be quite trying, especially depending on your relationship with your family members. Just try to look at it as a bonding experience and a life lesson- you’ll need to learn to live with other people (with very different lifestyles) in small quarters in college or in other roommate situations when you’re older anyways. I’ve been in so many strange living situations and stayed in so many dorm rooms that I think I’m definitely ready to be living in a dorm 😉

Brooke

Finals Week Reflection – Don’t Sweat It!

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Welcome back everyone!

Last week was my school’s finals week (I know, I know- we’re kind of late to the party), and now that my first semester of sophomore year is over I wanted to reflect on how the infamous stress of finals went this year, how it compared to freshman year finals, and how it was in general. I know it’s very intimidating and I definitely get stressed about big tests no matter what, but I think it’s important to realize that no matter how big a test is, it’s still just a test. If you want to hear more about my most recent finals experience is, keep on reading!

Honestly, the main point I have is pretty cliché, but it’s to not blow things out of proportion because things will pass over faster than you think. As a person who gets easily stressed and has a lot on her plate, there are many things I’m worried about doing or getting done daily. As a result of my constant business, I’ve realized that time goes by really fast, and soon enough everything’s over- whether good or bad. I was freaking out about finals as one would the week leading up to them and this past week, but they came and went so fast, and it ended up being fine.

Sure, a few tears were shed and many hours were spent poring over books, but it turned out fine. And even if it hadn’t, it still would’ve been over with and I could move on with my life. Time has been FLYING by lately, and it’s really teaching me not to get hung up on any singular event, because soon enough it will be gone and done! I don’t know if it’s a positive or negative perspective- when it comes to things I’m dreading like finals, I guess it’s positive that I realize they’ll be over with, but when it’s things I’m looking forward to, it can feel like I’m wishing them away before they’re over.

To focus more specifically on my finals, I’ll give a breakdown of how it goes at my school. We have three days of block schedule, with two classes each day (3 classes on the first day if you take a 7th period). This means you only have two finals each day, or less if you don’t take all academic classes or you don’t have finals in some classes. I personally had my English and Spanish finals on day 1, no finals on day 2 (yearbook and chemistry which we took a final in early), and AP Euro and math finals on day 3. First semester finals are always Tuesday-Thursday and we get Friday off for a long-weekend refresher before the next semester.

The way my finals were broken up this year was both stressful and nice at the same time. Having the day in between to focus on studying was helpful, but it also was a very stress-inducing day since Euro and math were the finals I was most scared for. That being said, I think the full day of study time paid off, considering those were actually the two finals I did best on. I had very structured study plans for them, whereas I just kind of went over notes, studied the textbooks, used Quizlets, and winged it a little bit for English and Spanish. Either way, I actually got solid As on all my finals and was able to end the semester with grades I am proud of, so I’m happy and super proud of myself for powering through the stress.

In comparison to freshman year finals, this semester was way more difficult. I was expecting that since my classes this year have been much more difficult so far. A lot of my teachers last year went easy on us and didn’t give us real “finals,” so we just had our unit tests or a slightly bigger chapter test that was worth a little more points. I only had three finals total, and they were spread out evenly among the three days. This year, it actually felt more like finals week and how I originally imagined it before going into finals last year.

Finals are rough for everyone, but as I’ve mentioned, it’s important to know that they’re really not the end-all-be-all- nothing in school is. I’m assuming most people’s finals are over by know, so I hope you all are happy with how you performed last semester! If you’re not, now you have a fresh start ahead of you. If you haven’t had finals yet, good luck! I believe in you 🙂

Brooke

How I Pack for A Weekend Getaway – Youth and Gov Conference!

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Hello everyone!

Finals week is over, it’s the start of a new semester, and I got to spend the long weekend in Fresno with people that I love and in the program I’ve also fallen in love with this year. It wasn’t exactly a vacation or winding-down kind of trip, but it was still a great, good-old-fun break from the craziness of school, and a nice reward for getting through the week. As you guys know if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, I love to write about packing for any trips I go on. If you’re curious about what I packed for this weekend conference, keep on reading!

I used my carry-on suitcase and a Jansport backpack since I needed a bag that I could use when walking around during the day from session to session. We didn’t go back to our hotel rooms throughout the day, so I had a lot of daily essentials with me. Here’s everything I packed:

  • My delegation sweatshirt (each delegation has one, mine is a cute baby blue)
  • 2 pairs of leggings
  • 1 pair of jeans
  • 2 pairs of pajamas
  • 2 pairs of normal socks and 2 pairs of fuzzy socks
  • Undergarments of course
  • Rain jacket
  • Snacks (cookies, candy, fruit snacks, granola bars… the works)
  • Perfume
  • Toiletries (retainer, shampoo/conditioner, soap, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, chapstick, retainer)
  • Tide to-go pen – a must for a messy eater like me!
  • Portable charger
  • Headphones for the long road trip
  • Money for food trucks, Starbucks, and Dippin Dots
  • Notebook and pens for note-taking
  • Vans because comfy shoes always
  • Hydro Flask
  • Lots of energy and excitement!

If you’re confused on what Youth and Government is, you should definitely look up the program and learn more about it on the YMCA’s website. It’s an amazing organization that exposes kids to debate, government, and activism while having fun doing it. I’m so happy with the experiences I’ve had in it this year and I would recommend it to anyone even remotely interested!

-Brooke

How to Fix An Unproductive Week

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Welcome back everyone!

If you’re trying to have a productive week, this is the right post for you. We all have those weeks where we set ourselves up to be super organized and hope it all works out how we planned, yet somehow things go awry and you feel like you haven’t gotten anything done. But don’t fret! That doesn’t mean it’s all over, and you can still put your week back on track. Here are a few ways to turn an unproductive week on its head and make it as productive as ever!

  • Make a more realistic to-do list – Sometimes our mile-long to-do lists intimidate us. I know mine does. Make a more manageable list for what you need to do that day or that week, and you can start tackling the tasks one-by-one without feeling the pressure of what’s next.
  • Clean your space – I find that it’s way easier to be productive when your workspace is clean. Clean out your desk, make your bed, clean your whole room, whatever you have time for- just make it a better and more comfortable space to get stuff done in.
  • Go to a new environment and try and get things done there – Go to a Starbucks or even a cute coffee shop if you prefer a local café near you, and bring your work. I think this is a good environment to work in because lots of other people will be working around you and there’s nothing else to do but grind- plus, you’ll have caffeine right nearby.
  • Go for a walk or do any form of exercise – First of all, this can be something that you feel you’ve accomplished- you’ve gotten a workout in and done something nice for yourself. Also, the adrenaline and endorphins will give you motivation to do your other work.
  • Do all your tiny, five-minute tasks – These can seem like a lot, but when you just nip them in the bud and get them done, it takes quite a few small items off your to-do list. Things like putting away laundry, returning emails, and such are examples of tasks like this, and it’s refreshing to be able to cross something off your list.

I hope these tips help you out and inspire you to have a productive week this week! It’s crazy how the weeks are flying by, but I guess that’s just a good indication of how busy and productive I’ve been 🙂

Brooke

What I’ve Been Loving Lately

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Hello everyone!

Today I want to talk about a few things I’ve been loving lately. Kind of like those YouTube favorites videos, but in blog form! After the holiday season, there were definitely a few gifts I got that I’ve been using non-stop since, and I just haven’t done any updates of my favorite things in a while in general. If you’re interested in seeing various product recommendations, keep on reading!

  • Glossier balm.com in mint – My all-time favorite chapstick, but I hadn’t tried the mint flavor until recently. It’s very soothing and I feel like it definitely tingles a bit more than the other flavors. I highly recommend any of the flavors of this lip balm though.
  • Cheer documentary series on Netflix – This was SO entertaining. As you guys know, I do high school cheer and I did competitive cheer in middle school, so I still keep up with the competitive cheer world. It was awesome to get an inside perspective on a top college team, especially a team like Navarro that I had actually heard of and followed along with before. I highly recommend this even if you don’t do cheer.
  • Pink Sugar perfume – My all-time favorite perfume, I’ve been using it even more than usual lately. It smells so good and I feel like it smells good on everyone. I’ve used up half of my bottle.
  • Good Trouble on Hulu – The sequel to The Fosters which I also enjoyed, this was a fast binge watch for me. I really enjoyed the diversity of characters and topics covered in the show, especially the important issues it drew attention to and the insight it gave on what it’s like to be a woman in the workforce.
  • Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Bon Bons with Cookie Dough Crust – These are soooo good. My mom got them to try them out and I ate the whole box within a couple days- oops.
  • Chipotle burritos – I know this is super basic, but I never used to eat at Chipotle until this year. I normally would go to Sharky’s for my Mexican food fix, but lately their chicken didn’t taste very fresh. Chipotle always tastes fresh and I can’t go more than a few days without getting a burrito.
  • Rocketbook reusable notebook – I asked for this for Christmas (you can get one on Amazon) and it’s the coolest thing ever. You can write your notes, have them sent to the app on your phone, erase the pages and use them all over again. It’s an eco-friendly and high-tech way to take notes!
  • Brandy Melville butterfly jewelry – I got a few pairs of butterfly earrings and a butterfly necklace for Christmas from Brandy. They’re so cute and dainty, and they’ll match everything while still adding flair to my outfit.
  • Patagonia fleece – I got a black fleece zip-up from Patagonia for my trip to Seattle in November, and I wore it almost everyday. It was so warm and comfortable and since I got it in black, it’ll match anything. I think it’s definitely worth the high price since it will last you a long time.
  • PJ Salvage flannel pajamas – These pajamas are normally very overpriced, but I found a set at Nordstrom Rack for half off. They are SO comfortable and I’ve worn them almost every other night since I opened them on Christmas Eve. I highly recommend trying to find some on sale.
  • Squatty Potty – I got this for Christmas as a jokey-yet-practical gift. It’s so helpful and I honestly understand the hype. I won’t give TMI, but it definitely speeds up and smooths out the bathroom process.

I hope you guys like these things if you end up checking any of them out for yourself! Feel free to ask me any questions if you want to know more- I know these descriptions were brief.

Brooke

5 Reminders You Probably Need Right Now

BrookeLeave a comment

Hello everyone!

At the time of writing this, I was feeling a little down, so I decided to spread some positivity and hopefully make your day a little brighter. Here are five happy and general reminders to keep in mind as you go about your busy day. I know I needed them, so hopefully they reach anyone else who needs them.

  1. You’re amazing and deserve the best. Don’t forget that, and don’t trick yourself into thinking anything different. You are beautiful, and you are imperfectly perfect.
  2. It’s the weekend and you deserve a break. Take a breather and do something nice for yourself to relax before another busy week hits. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
  3. People love you. No matter who it is, there’s at least one person out there who loves you and would give you the world. You’re not alone.
  4. You are capable of anything, but you will need to put in the work. Anything is achievable when you put your mind to it and take the correct steps towards getting there. Setbacks are temporary, so don’t get discouraged by them.
  5. Your energy and attitude means a lot. Try to see the good in things, and the good will come to you. Try using the Law of Attraction if you haven’t before.

I hope this was what you needed today. It’s different than what I normally post, but it just felt like the right thing for me to write. Thank goodness for finals week being over 🙂

Brooke

I Don’t Want to Go Into STEM. Should I?

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Welcome back everyone!

My dad told me when I was little that he hoped I would continue to pick up math quickly because then I could become an engineer and make lots of money when I grew up. Whenever he told me this, I would nod my head, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t really be what I wanted. I’m no math whiz, but I’ve always gotten good grades in math and I tend to enjoy the subject when I have a helpful teacher. I’m decent at math, but it’s not my favorite thing- same with science. People always say STEM fields and jobs are where the future and the money is- they’re not wrong, but it doesn’t mean that’s what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.

Most of the kids in my (honors/AP) classes want to be engineers, doctors, or something else in STEM. I don’t. I’ve always felt like I should, because most of the high-achieving, smart kids around me do. If I’m high-achieving and smart (or aspiring to be), shouldn’t I like these things that are usually labeled as the jobs/fields high-achieving, smart people like and want to do? I still ask myself this from time to time, but I’m not putting pressure on myself to do or like anything that I wouldn’t genuinely pick up on my own. Everyone has their own interests, and I know that’s not my path. Sometimes I question it, of course, but I just have that instinct that it’s not for me since I don’t particularly enjoy those topics.

It’s more important to do what you love anyways, regardless of prestige or money (to an extent). I’m more interested in the humanities, and English and history classes have always been my favorite. I also love my Spanish class, I loved AP Psychology and I love learning about law (my childhood dream was to be a lawyer). I’m interested in the quantitative side of some of these subjects, but not math or hard sciences themselves. My mom always says it’s more important to find what I’m passionate about and explore different things along the way since I still have time, whereas my dad will still push the whole STEM-being-the-most-secure-future thing.

People always try to make STEM fields seem superior and hate on the humanities, saying STEM majors/jobs are harder, but any job or major or interest can be more complex and difficult depending on how you’re diving into it. It’s different since it’s just high school, but at my school, English and history classes tend to have reputations as being the hardest. I don’t feel bad about wanting to go into something that might not be “the job of the future” because I want to find and do what I love.

The last thing I wanted to touch on is the call for women to go into STEM. My dad had me watch some news special or documentary type thing on how companies want more women in the field and there’s definitely a demand for it. However, there’s TONS of sexual harassment and gender inequality at a lot of the big tech companies for women who do go into those fields. I wouldn’t want to put myself through the atmosphere of these male-dominated companies, especially considering I’m also just not interested in those types of jobs.

I recently watched Good Trouble (an amazing show and the sequel to The Fosters) on Hulu, and one of the characters works at a tech-startup and is one of the only women who works there. The guys on her team don’t take her seriously and she finds out she’s also being paid a lot less. I know it might not be a completely realistic depiction of a woman in STEM’s life and there are a ton of amazing, powerful women who probably have better experiences in the industry, but I think it definitely draws attention to some of the unacceptable behavior towards women in those types of workplaces.

If you’ve been in a similar mindset as I have, or are questioning whether to pursue a certain job/major/etc. in STEM or something else based on what others are doing and the prestige/money involved, just take a second to evaluate your priorities. If you have the skills for it and prestige or money/a secure future is the most important thing in your life, that is completely respectable and you should act accordingly. However, if you know that something else is your calling that you truly love, you should consider that first.

I hope talking about this draws attention to the internal conflict and thoughts that I know a lot of other people besides me must have as well. I promise it’s worth it to follow your heart, and you’ll usually end up being most successful at the things you love to do and see yourself pursuing the most.

Brooke

A Love Letter to My Middle School & Teachers

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Welcome back everyone!

The week that this post goes up is actually finals week at my school, so I will be getting through my sophomore year first semester finals as you’re reading this. During tough and stressful times in school, I can’t help but be thankful for the people who have helped me get this far in my education and shaped my view on how important learning is. A great deal of shaping myself into the student I am and aspire to be now happened in middle school, and I am so thankful for that. I’ve already posted a love letter to my high school teachers (that I’ve had so far) in the past, so make sure to check that out if you haven’t!

Middle school was a strange time in my life- it is for everyone. You’re starting to grow up and you think you’re grown up but you’re really not, school actually starts to get harder and you’re put on a track that you’re kind of expected to follow through the rest of your schooling career, and it’s your first taste of balancing multiple classes, a social life, and options for extracurriculars beyond recreational classes and sports teams through your local rec center. You don’t just have one teacher that is tasked with helping you through the day-you’re expected to ask for help.

I hated my middle school sometimes (the dress code was extremely strict and sexist), but I had amazing and helpful teachers (for the most part) that made those weird few years easier and even fun (sometimes). I actually did struggle through a few of my classes, but I’m glad I did- I ended up strengthening my study skills a lot and becoming a much better student which was a huge deal going into high school. Now that you have all this background on me, think back on your own middle school experiences, especially your classes/teachers, and how they impacted you. With that, here’s the letter I would write to my middle school and teachers.

To my middle school teachers and anyone else at the school,

Thank you so much for all your hard work. First of all, people don’t appreciate teachers enough. I could never do what you do, especially working with this extremely fickle and strange age group. You work to mold these kids into students that will be successful in high school and the other next steps in their life, and you made such a difference when it comes to me and my personal experiences as a student. I wouldn’t be where I am without you. Thank you for integrating so many different types of lesson plans and projects to keep us interested and always learning something new. Thank you for setting us up with knowledge we didn’t even know we would need again in our high school classes.

Thank you for giving it your best effort to make school fun with Friday lunch music in the quad, themed school dances with lights and DJs, special events for eighth graders, the trip to D.C. (aka the best trip of all time), and more. Thank you for actually making me feel at home at school. Thank you for having fun electives that allowed me to experience activities I never thought I would. A special thank you for having woodshop as an elective and giving me a second family to rant to that year. Thank you for making school fun again, and reminding me that I love to learn.

Thank you for making me struggle a little bit sometimes and forcing me to figure things out for myself, something I hadn’t always been able to do before. Even though it wasn’t actually that hard, it was hard at the time and it pushed me to be better. Thank you for helping me gain confidence in myself and realize that I could be successful as long as I put the work in. Thank you for having fun honors classes and having these opportunities to challenge myself, because it made me crave more challenging classes in high school. Thank you for beginning to put us on the long path of college prep and figuring out who we want to be in life, even though we obviously didn’t and still don’t have a clue.

Thank you for being you, and getting me through middle school. At the time, that was all that mattered.

I hope this reminds you of all the amazing work teachers do for the youth of today. Make sure to let your teachers know how thankful you are for all their help, teaching, and support. I’m so lucky to have had mostly amazing experiences with my teachers- I know not every person/school has that privilege.

Brooke