Journaling

Every three months, I buy a new, blank, bright-colored journal from Amazon and that day is a good day. For the past two years, every morning at 6 am, I journal. Nothing crazy, just my daily goals, my to-do list, things on my mind, and little doodles here and there. This helps me set my mind right and just get on the right foot for the day. It is hard to wake up early and find the motivation, even if I’ve been doing it for years, but it’s worth it. Now, when I don’t journal, I feel very frazzled, like there are so many things just swimming in my head. Putting your thoughts down on paper can really help just set your mind right. And you’re materials don’t have to be fancy! I get a $10, blank-page journal on Amazon and some fun pens. Every day my font and color scheme are just a little bit different, making every day unique. I journal more diligently during the school year for sure, but I did journal over the summer too, which is fun to go back and look at what I was thinking about on vacation or at camp. This is a habit for me now, and it has helped me start every day motivated and organized. – Ellie Owens

PLAYS

Do I have Peppermeit or Venila Been?

In 2021, I was in a group chat with two of my friends I met by fate online. We thought that sending random, out of context photos of other people’s posts on social media was the funniest form of humor. So, while sending random screenshots back and forth, the image from a random person’s TikTok video was sent. The photo contained a girl asking: “Do i have peppermeit or venila been?,” followed by a poll to vote between ‘vinlia been’ or ‘pepper meant’. We laughed about it, and referenced it every now and then when we heard the words peppermint or vanilla. 

On August 19, 2024, me and my friend, Sasha Lapayeva (’27), were filling up my water bottle outside of Mr. Avett’s classroom, when somebody with a vanilla perfume walked by. Without thinking about it I said something about venila been, which left Sasha very confused. When we got back to class I dug through old photos to find the picture, and when I did I sent it to Sasha, and a few other close friends. We started asking our friends if we had peppermeant or vinlia been, leaving them all very confused. The joke has been spun off so many times in under a month, but now that it has been a month I want to share the peppermeant love. If you feel like confusing your friends, go up to them and ask them a variation of the following question : “Do I have peppermeit or venila been?” – Noa Zilber

Block Blast

One thing that I’m particularly excited about this week is this mobile game Block Blast. While I’ve had it since July, its overly satisfying nature makes me want to keep playing. Like a weird Tetris sort of game, you want to place blocks onto a grid and clear a line of them, preferably multiple at a time. You can get combos to get a higher score, and the goal is to just get your score as high as possible. It’s become a game where I can compete against my friends, as having the largest high score gives intense bragging rights, and as of now, I have yet to meet a person with a score higher than 18256, and I’ll keep playing it in hopes of making it more untouchable. – Miles Forshay

Lowballing 101

I love lowballing people on Facebook Marketplace. Telling people what they’re selling is worth some absurdly low amount is easily one of my favorite things to do. I’ve had to make like 4 accounts because I keep getting banned, but the reactions that some people have make it all worth it. The off occasion where someone takes the bait and gives me an offer for the stupidly low price I came up with is rare, but so funny. Over the summer, I lowballed this guy who was selling his used 2012 Ford F-150 for $14,000. I did my usual business and pulled out the hail mary “You don’t know what your selling is worth.” I told him the lowest I’d go was $7,000, knowing well I was not buying the truck. He responded with one of the best responses I’ve ever gotten: He stated how he served a tour in Iraq, that he was a marine who “doesn’t take kindly to trolls”, and that he’s going to report me as soon as he figures out who I am. After changing pants, I checked Facebook and saw that my account was banned. Well played. – Michael Bryant

BUYS

Cardigans

Is the stereotype still that cardigans are only for ELA teachers? I sure hope not because I do love myself a cardigan. Especially with this false autumn in Georgia, cardigans are my favorite wear. Not only do they look amazing, but they feel amazing. I have a couple that I wear but my favorite one is a plum color cardigan that is not mine, but I use (sorry mom). This is my favorite because of the heaviness of it. I don’t have to wear another sweater under it. It is also long, which is perfect for the upcoming winter weather. I recommend adding a cardigan to your shopping list soon. – Teresita Trujillo

Depop

I got Depop about 2 weeks ago and I’m more obsessed than any social media platform. Using Depop is like going to Goodwill and everything there is so cute and already found for you to your liking. Depop is basically the Facebook Marketplace for Gen z. You can buy or sell and it’s all so simple. Shipping is paid for by the buyer and all you do is take it to USPS and scan the QR code Depop gives you and you’re done. Now you have money for clothes you stopped wearing that someone else can love. Depop is a good side hustle for any teen. About 30 million people use Depop worldwide. When you open the app pictures of clothing immediately pop up, that people are selling, and you can press the like button if you like it. By pressing the like button Depop works to find more styles that fit for you! Depop makes thrifting easy and creates way more opportunities to find cute clothes. You need to have Depop in your phone! – Kira Lawson

Lessons in Chemistry

If you’ve been looking for books, or even if you haven’t, I strongly recommend that you read Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. If you are a lover of books, strong female protagonists, food/cooking/baking, and/or science, or any of those three things, this book will immediately become your favorite. If you aren’t an avid reader, hopefully this is the book that will send you down the literary rabbit hole with the rest of us.

Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a female chemist in the 1960’s. Zott is extremely well-educated, self-confident, and is very literal and no-nonsense in a way that makes my neurodivergent heart very happy. Zott is also an incredible cook/baker, who treats the preparation of food as a science. Zott deals with men who objectify women, and treat her and other women as inherently stupid, but throughout it all she perseveres. She is a wonderful female role model and so many times throughout reading this book I wished that Elizabeth Zott were real so I could become friends with her.

All in all, Lessons in Chemistry is a good read, and Bonnie Garmus has created a masterpiece on par with Leonardo’s Mona Lisa (Garmus’ work may even be better because at least you can witness it in a room that isn’t packed with people). – Maren Merkel

WATCHES

Only Murders in the Building

Only Murders in the Building is a murder mystery show on Hulu starring comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short, and that random girl from Disney Channel. I’m pretty sure her name is Selena Gomez or something. All three of them play characters living in the same apartment building and are obsessed with true crime podcasts. When a murder happens in the building, the three decide to start a true crime podcast and investigate the murder. Chaos ensues, and other stuff happens (not giving spoilers…) that leads to an additional three seasons. Guest stars like Sting, Amy Schumer (ugh…), and Jimmy Fallon appear on the show, which is a lot of fun. Episodes of the show’s fourth season are airing on Hulu every Wednesday. Stream it here. – Maven Bolick

Gilmore Girls

This fall, there’s no better show to curl up with than Gilmore Girls. Set in the charming small town of Stars Hollow, the series beautifully captures the cozy, nostalgic essence of autumn. Picture tree-lined streets with vibrant fall colors, bustling cafés, and quirky local festivals—it’s an autumn lover’s dream. The show’s atmosphere is the perfect companion for chilly evenings and warm drinks. At the heart of “Gilmore Girls” is the endearing relationship between Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother-daughter duo whose quick-witted banter and heartfelt moments make the show both funny and touching. Their dynamic, filled with humor, love, and the challenges of navigating life, feels both relatable and comforting. Supporting characters like the gruff but kindhearted Luke and the always-glamorous Emily add extra layers of charm and complexity to the story.

Autumn is the ideal time to watch Gilmore Girls because the show embraces the season’s coziness and sense of change. Stars Hollow comes alive in the fall with festivals, autumn fairs, and Lorelai’s love for all things cozy. The fall-centric episodes capture the season’s magic, making it feel like you’re right there in the town. Gilmore Girls is the perfect comfort show, full of warmth, humor, and heart. It’s the kind of series that feels like a soft blanket on a chilly evening, offering a nostalgic escape from the real world. With seven seasons to binge, you’ll have plenty to enjoy as the leaves change. So, grab a cup of coffee and settle in—this fall, Stars Hollow is exactly where you want to be. – Ella Grace Engle

Signs

Over the weekend, I watched “Signs,” a sci/fi horror film both written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The main character, Graham Hess, is a former pastor who lost his wife to a gruesome car crash. Uncle Merril, Graham’s brother, is a former baseball player, and Graham’s son, Morgan, had asthma. As far as cinematography is concerned, they use extreme wide shots well, most notably in depicting the crop circles. They also frequently used news broadcasts, which I really enjoyed, throughout the film. 

I believe the movie was very well constructed, since it used many different elements from throughout the movie, which foreshadow their importance in the conclusion. I think a theme is faith and gods’ work compared to human choice and free will. This is shown throughout the movie through the numerous signs and even a speech by Graham. All in all, I really enjoyed the movie but would not rank it as highly as “The Ritual.” – Jackson Lee

EATS

Cuckoos Cafe

Cuckoos Cafe is a Taiwanese cafe and serves many boba drinks. It has many tables where you can actually study or just come in and hangout with friends. I got introduced to Cuckoos Cafe by my friend Marelin, who goes to Cuckoos to study all the time. That day me and my sister were going  on a study date with her, we were trying to decide where to go and she told us Cuckoos was a great place with great food. We went that day and that forever changed me. I love the popcorn shrimp they have, and the Jasmine Milk tea is perfection! So you should try going to Cuckoos Cafe not only because of the food but also because of the great photos you can take. They have beautiful draped curtains, and also they sell lots of plushies and they’re so adorable and the aesthetic is just immaculate. – Ashley Chay Chay

Trader Joe’s Marshmallows

My family rarely shops at Trader Joe’s, making every time we visit a treat. The last time we went, we loaded up on two packs of Trader Joe’s marshmallows, the most incredible afternoon treat. Their fluffiness and delicious taste make for both a soothing palate cleanser and a unique flavor. Of all the marshmallows in the market, those at Trader Joe’s have the most balanced texture that has the perfect amounts of fluffiness, smoothness, and chewiness. I believe that these marshmallows are the most advanced of their time. Until food scientists find a way to make marshmallows dance to show tunes, the marshmallows at Trader Joe’s will be the best ones out there. – Finley Malone

Frosted Krispies

My favorite cereal is Kellogg’s Frosted Krispies. Frosted Krispies are mini rice-shaped cereals coated with sugar; they are a spin-off version of the original Rice Krispies. The simplistic sweetness, flavor, texture, and color of the cereal really makes it the perfect cereal for your late-night meal. I don’t like eating artificially colored cereal because when the color bleeds through and it blends, the food becomes much less appetizing. I only ever eat cereal between the hours of 10 PM to 3 AM because it’s an easy food to prepare and I don’t have to clean up too many dishes afterward; I also find that cereal isn’t very appetizing in the mornings. Oddly enough, I absolutely hate having cereal with cow’s milk because I grew up only drinking almond milk. In addition, I have found the best way to eat Frosted Krispies is to let them sit in the milk for about two minutes before eating them so it doesn’t taste as dry. – Anna Kate Flood

McChickens

Every week I notice that I always want a McChicken. I don’t even like McDonalds that much, but their McChicken is one of the best things ever created. The lettuce, chicken itself, and the mayo topped on it is so good. This is one of the best creations ever made. The first time I ever had a McChicken was at the start of this year, when my friend suggested I buy one. The minute I took a bite of that sandwich, my life changed. They are so simple yet so good. If you’ve never had one, I suggest you do.  I love McChickens. – Sasha Lapayeva

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A, or CFA as we all know it, is honestly one of the best fast food places out there. First off, their chicken sandwiches are amazing. I mean, who can resist that perfect seasoning? Let’s not even start on those waffle fries – crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and just the right amount of salty. It’s like they’ve mastered the art of fast food. But it’s not just about the food. The service at CFA is on another level. Every time I walk in, I’m greeted with a smile and a “my pleasure.” It’s such a great change from the usual fast food experience. The staff always seem genuinely happy to help, and that makes a huge difference.

And let’s talk about their commitment to quality. They use fresh, high-quality ingredients, and you can really taste the difference. Plus, they’re always coming out with new menu items and seasonal treats, so there’s always something new to try. In short, CFA isn’t just a place to grab a fast bite – it’s a place where you know you’re going to get great food and great service every time. It’s no wonder it’s a favorite for so many people! – Rowan Schreiber

Tortilla chips from Krogers

Look: the best tortilla chips that you can buy in a store in Atlanta are the ones at the Oakhurst Market south of downtown Decatur. They are so tasty, they are basically banned from our house. Plus they cost $8 a bag (worth it! – and their salsa slays, too!). So the backup best chips in town are the ones you can buy in the deli section of Kroger for about $3.79 a bag. They are thick, lightly salted, and just oily enough to let you know you shouldn’t eat too many. Good luck with that! Reading the fine print, I see that they, in fact, come from Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods, a division of a company based in Oregon. Ok, fine, but someone in Oregon knows what they’re doing. And you can get them at Krogers. – Fred Avett

LISTENS

YOASOBI – Electrifying

The name YOASOBI does not strike any cords with 外人 (foreigners). However, for every Japanese person in existence, and Japanese music enjoyers alike, this name has not only re-defined the industry of J-pop but has also captured the hearts of the lost generation. That means that every time I plug in, there’s another world, something floating along the dangers of my heart. I can venture into the emotions of humanity, as YOASOBI extends its range beyond the orthodox beat and tempo of music. It’s not just pop but also has elements of rock, rap, and other genres incorporated into it. If you want to open up your musical palate, I recommend giving a listen to “Yoru ni Kakeru,” one of YOASOBI’s best songs, Here. – Tommy Liang

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie is a rock musician and filmmaker, who is currently going on tour. Last Thursday, I went to one of his concerts at Ameris Bank Amphitheater. It was an amazing concert. He used lots of different sets and technical tricks during his songs. He was confident and loud as he interacted with the audience. He even cursed the crowd out and told them to put their phones away for three minutes. The energy there was also amazing. People came fully dressed out with their clothing and makeup. Additionally, you could hear and see the crowd go wild every time he played a different song. I saw this especially during “Living Dead Girl.” As the concert came to an end, he played “Dragula” and extended it to go on for longer. I can say it was one of the best concerts I have been to. – Juliet Gonzalez