Bleached brows & micro bangs

Is the meaning of life having a bleached brow and a micro bang? Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of videos of girls with bleached brows and micro bangs. I believe they are the coolest people on earth. Every time I see one they always have the best outfit, hairdo, and style. Every outfit can look good as long as you have the bleached-brow-micro-bang combo. In my opinion, it is the biggest fashion statement. It is a way of showing how awesome someone is. Any outfit and any make-up look can look good with it. It is a very bold choice, but somehow everyone who gets it can pull it off. People should take more risks in life and I think everyone should try out a bleached brow and a micro bang once in their life. I got inspired to write this because of the tiktoker @fieryfaerie.  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNTpTfeH – by Sasha Lapayeva

GAMES

Killer Sudoku

This week, I am absolutely obsessed with this variant of that ever-famous sudoku that takes the strategy and the level of difficulty to a whole new level. If you’re the kind of person who likes brain teasers or logic puzzles—really, anything that puts your gray matter in for a good workout—then Killer Sudoku is the game you need to be into right now. It adds to traditional Sudoku the use of “cages”—groups of cells—which must sum up to the given value. Everything is not just about making sure every row, column, and 3×3 box contains all numbers from 1 through 9 without repetition; one must come up with a solution that fits these cages as well. It’s logical and requires arithmetic deduction—extremely satisfying to solve. What I love most about Killer Sudoku is that it will keep one’s mind razor-sharp and focused; challenges always wait because there are easy-to-insanely-hard puzzles. Moreover, filling in the last number and seeing the whole puzzle click into place is extremely satisfying. – Ella Engle

Google Snake

The Google Snake game is so much fun. I love to play it when I am bored in class. There are so many fun colors and modes to play from. Recently, they came out with a daily challenge that changes all the time and it’s so fun and adds interest to the game. I highly recommend it and you will love it as much as I do. If you haven’t played it before I think you will see how much joy it can bring you and the colors are just so pretty. That is my favorite part about it. – Rowan Schreiber

MUSIC

hambear

Another week has brought another music artist to listen to on repeat: hambear. They are a self-described emo band from Athens, Georgia. They only have one album released, titled paper view. It has 7 tracks, lasting a total of 23 minutes. The album was released at the end of April. I discovered them just last week after a recommendation from a friend. I was intrigued by them and listened to their album. The album turned out to be amazing. I ended up being the #1 listener of hambear (at least according to Airbuds). I listened to them 40 times, totaling up to 125 minutes. The songs have a sorrowful feel to them. Many of the songs contain screaming, which they pull off amazingly. I would suggest it to anyone into rock. – Juliet Gonzalez

The Foundation by Zac Brown Band

When most country artists put out their first album, it’s usually not great. They’ve usually just moved to Nashville and are still figuring stuff out, but they’ve signed with a label and feel pressured to put out music. Their first album is important because it gives the artist something to grow from, but it’s rarely music that holds up as some of the artist’s best. However, this week, I was scrolling through Spotify and was reminded that there are a few exceptions to this rule. Zac Brown Band’s debut album The Foundation has a spot in my top 10 favorite country albums of all time. With songs like Highway 20 Ride, Chicken Fried, Free, and Toes, I think that it is, to this day, the best album that Zac Brown Band has ever put out (but I’m not saying their new music isn’t good). A third of the songs on the album shot to the number 1 spot on the Country Airplay charts. This is something extremely rare for a debut album, which makes it well worth a listen. Go stream The Foundation on Spotify here – Maven Bolick

Forrest Frank

There are many underrated artists out there that people have yet to find. An underrated artist that I love is Forrest Frank. Forrest Frank is a Christian rapper who has collaborated with other artists like JVKE, Tori Kelly, Hulvey, Connor Price, Sam Rivera, and many more! Unlike other Christian artists, Forrest has tried to get the younger generation to hear his music by making his songs different from other artists. He is a rapper but he can also do Lofi songs or have a more chorus-type song. I found Forrest like most other artists: on Instagram. I remember hearing a song he was about to drop and it just had a different type of beat and had a calm tone. It was almost like R&B soul music but he would make it Christian. It was unlike other artists who have made their songs in the Christian community. I know that for many it may seem like it’s another boring Christian artist. However, Forrest Frank is different. But he is not the only one who has songs that are different from other artists. Josiah Queen, Hulvey, and Sam Rivera are examples of the genre Forrest is in. If you have ever heard any of their songs you know that they’re always BANGERS! – Ashley Chay-Chay

Luke Combs

Luke Combs is a well-known country singer, and recently, I have been listening to more of his music. The country music that Combs sings gives you a wholesome feel, and would not be complete without his humble character. Remaining as an influential country singer throughout the years, he has released multiple whole-hearted songs, such as “Even Though I’m Leaving,” which paints the emotional story of a son who doesn’t want his father to leave, and the contrast “Take You with Me,” a heartfelt song of the childhood joys of doing things as a son and father. However, this would not have been possible without his character, “5 Leaf Clover,” who expresses Combs’ gratitude for his current life and that he can pursue a career he loves instead of a dead-end job. Listening to Luke Combs can help you appreciate the subtleties in life. Stream him on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/718COspgdWOnwOFpJHRZHS – Tommy Liang

FOOD

Okonomiyaki

I first had Okonomiyaki when I was in Japan over the summer. Finding food was surprisingly difficult in Japan, so we went on a food tour to find the best restaurants in Tokyo. Our first stop was an Okonomiyaki restaurant, located above a sushi restaurant. We ended up enjoying our meal so much that we went back to the same restaurant a second time. Okonomiyaki is a savory egg pancake made with different types of meat and vegetables, depending on the restaurant you go to. Some Okonomiyaki can be made with fish eggs or noodles; however, all forms are topped with bonito flakes, mayo, and Okonomiyaki Sauce. In Tokyo, you make it yourself at your table while most restaurants in the United States and in other parts of Japan make it for you. My mom recently made an Okonomiyaki recipe at home that was incredible. I just find it to be such a comforting, and yet interesting, meal that brings me back to my time in Japan. – Finley Malone

Bagels

If you don’t love bagels you’re the problem. Bagels are perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Recently, homemade bacon, egg, and cheese bagels have been my favorite. Bagels can be eaten with so many different things and so many different ways. Bagels should have more love around the world for the diversity they provide. Bagels themselves can be made in so many ways like everything bagel, classic, whole wheat, thin, and more. If you think it can’t get any better you’re wrong: bagels are healthy, too! Calories from bagels are nutritious and good for you. Bagels have been used for so many creative meals. You can add sauce and cheese to a bagel and now you have pizza. All that’s important is you need to love bagels and bagels will love you. – Kira Lawson

Dove Chocolate

The single delicacy that melts in my mouth and that brings the utmost joy into my heart. This single square piece of milk chocolate is my favorite chocolate of all time. Dove Dark Chocolate does not stay behind, it’s my second favorite. The Dove Milk Chocolate not only is very soft and easily consumable, but my favorite part about eating this chocolate is the inspirational saying on the inside of the wrapper. My favorite note by far states, “Be brave enough to try something new and be bad at it.” Because of its size, it can be accessible to eat at any given time. Whether that is in your boring math class or not too shabby band class ( I’M PLAYING. DON’T EAT IN THE BAND ROOM). This chocolate has it all. The best part of it though, it can be shared with others! With the packet size, you can stuff it into your bookbag, like I do, and take it and share it with the people around you. I enjoy just asking and if they decline well then they have no taste buds, but if they receive it, I happily give it to them. So I 1,000 percent recommend this chocolate to everyone who is a fanatic of chocolate or for someone who is looking for something sweet to eat. – Teresita Bartolon-Trujilo

Dunkin Glazed Donuts

I love the regular glazed donuts from Dunkin. They’re so plain, but that’s what makes them so good. I dual enroll so I don’t have to go to school until 10:50-11:30 depending on what day of the week it is. This means I have plenty of time to do whatever in the mornings. Most of the time I go to the gym at Crunch and then buy a bunch of donuts at Dunkin afterwards. I love donuts in general, but Dunkin has a good deal, which is half a dozen donuts for $8. I know six donuts is a lot but I could eat an entire dozen in one sitting every day if I had the funds for it. – Michael Bryant

TELEVISION/MOVIES

A Good Girls Guide To Murder (Series on Netflix)

Need a new binge-worthy show? Based on the book by Holly Jackson, the Good Girls Guide To Murder series on Netflix is a suspenseful and exciting adaptation. I watched the first five episodes this past Saturday with some friends, and I must say, I was on the edge of my seat! When I read the book in February, I couldn’t put it down. The story begins when senior in high school Pip Fitz-Amobi picks up a five-year-old murder case where, allegedly, Sal Singh killed his girlfriend, Andie Bell. Pip reinvestigates this case, convinced that Sal was innocent all along. The story takes so many twists and turns, and the series successfully brings the book to life. I can’t wait to finish the first season, even though I know what happens, which to me, means the show is on par with the book. The Good Girls Guide To Murder show is my personality suggestion for you this week! – Ellie Owens

The Ritual

Over the weekend, I watched “The Ritual,” a British horror film directed by David Bruckner. This film has many similarities to “The Descent.” It begins with a fairly violent scene, in which Robert is murdered during a robbery, while his friend, Luke, watches and hides. Another similarity is that the protagonist (Luke in this film) is haunted by recurring nightmares about this beginning scene. Both were British films about a group of friends on outdoor adventures, where they encounter terrifying creatures. 

The horror begins six months after Robert’s death. His four friends go backpacking in Sweden to honor him, but Dom is injured early on their way to the lodge. They decide to cut across a forest to speed up their journey, thus thrusting them into the horrific environment. Various shocks establish the atmosphere, such as the sight of a dead animal hung in a tree, and then a storm starts, trapping them. They come to an old, abandoned house, which they explore and spend the night in, after forcing their way in. They all have terrible nightmares in the house, and Luke sees Robert’s murder again. Phil also prays unwillingly in the house. Later, Dom and Luke argue, after Dom accused him of being a coward. The next night, they wake up to find Hutch’s tent abandoned. His screaming leads them to find Hutch suspended in a tree, in a way similar to the animals earlier. Now they must find a way out of the forest before they lose their lives due to the terrors of the area.

I liked this movie because the characters seemed different, and the dialogue flowed naturally. Also, it was very scary as it used dread terrifically and suspense well. I also thought it was a very good choice to not show the monster until the third act.  All in all, it made for a very well-executed horror movie. – Jackson Lee

Mamma Mia

I watched Mamma Mia for the first time over the weekend. Surprisingly, I loved it so much. I usually don’t like musicals, but this one (along with The Sound of Music) would be an exception. Mamma Mia is about a girl named Sophie and her mother, Donna, who live in Greece. Sophie is planning her wedding and wants to invite her father. However, she doesn’t know exactly who her father is so she invited the three men who could be her father without telling her mother. The movie is combination of a romance, a mystery, and an upbeat musical. Not only was I entertained the whole time, I was also invested in the plot from beginning to end. I would highly recommend watching Mamma Mia if you have not already seen it. – Anna Kate Flood

Whiplash

One thing that I think is simply incredible this week is the movie Whiplash. Now, I’ve always loved this movie, it’s the greatest movie on the planet. One of Miles Teller’s first big lead roles, and J.K. Simmons beautifully encapsulates the essence of a mentally abusive music teacher. The main reason I’m so particularly excited about this movie right now is because while I did buy it on Amazon Prime this Saturday (8/24/24), I also found out that it would be rereleased in theaters on September 10th for its 10 year anniversary, and I’m already really excited to get to go see it in a theater for the first time. – Miles Forshay