JapanFest
Over the weekend, I mostly sat on my couch watching The Bachelor and completing my ginormous amount of homework. It was, for the most part, a rough weekend. The one time that I ventured out of my homework cave and did something fun was when I went to JapanFest! My dad is this big executive for Gas South and because JapanFest was at Gas South Arena, we were given VIP status and made to feel super important and fabulous. With VIP status, I was given access to a private performance by these men with long hair that they whipped around through the crowd as well as this woman who cut paper and blew it all around the room to look like it was snowing. They were very interesting and entertaining to watch. After we watched the performances, we were granted a lovely array of Japanese cuisine that consisted of some amazing eel, tuna, and yellowtail sushi and some amazing pickled cucumbers. We ventured out of the VIP area to go watch Sumo wrestlers fight children (but not really) and walk around the festival for a little bit. It was overall a fun way to spend my Saturday that I would love to return to next year! – Finley Malone
Kabuki at JapanFest 2024
Every year, JapanFest brings the heart of Japan to Atlanta, with a vibrant fusion of not just traditional Japanese culture, but also the trends that are modern and popular. It is one of the only chances to experience Japan while abroad. Visitors can immerse themselves in everything from food to performances, such as the vibrant and dramatic performances of Kabuki, a traditional style of Japanese theater. Kabuki is a dynamic form of Japanese theater, renowned for its bold costumes, exaggerated makeup, and dramatic storytelling. These performances captivate the audience with high-energy movements and emotional intensity. I was personally moved by the kind of tricks they performed. Who knew they could pull a bunch of strings from their pocket just like that? Kabuki’s mesmerizing blend of artistry and emotion has left me with an unforgettable experience every time I watch it. If you’re looking for a new experience, I would recommend Kabuki as it exposes you to traditional Japanese culture through its vibrant methods of display. – Tommy Liang
TIMES
Snack Time
Every day when I get home from school, my favorite thing to do is get a snack. No matter how bad my day is, knowing I can get a snack is like a light at the end of the tunnel. The best snacks are a balance of flavors, like pretzels dipped in Nutella. The salt on the pretzel goes perfectly with the sweet, chocolatey Nutella. I also ride the bus, which can get quite hot with the current weather. Having a cold popsicle always refreshes me. I also think I would enjoy school more if teachers let me have quiet, crumb-free snacks such as fruit snacks/gummies. School lunch is never enough, I always find myself hungry by 7th period. If you relate, you should go home and eat a silly snack. – Noa Zilber
Cute Little Fall Things
I love fall. The crunchy leaves on the ground, cute sweaters, pumpkins on everyone’s doorsteps, apple pie, apple donuts, apple cider, and apple picking! I went apple picking this weekend with my friend and while it was 95 degrees in Ellijay on Saturday, it was still so much fun. Honestly, I probably ate more apples than I put in my bag, but don’t tell the orchard that. I just love cute little fall things. Even though it isn’t sweater and flannel season outside yet, fall is here, and I will be doing all the fall things regardless of this hot Atlanta weather. So excuse me while I go drink my PSL and start a new romance novel. – Ellie Owens
Leg Day
Leg day is the best day. I’m tired of the leg day slander. Leg day is my favorite day of the week and it should be yours too. Chest day is overrated and is super boring. Flat bench and incline are the best for the chest and are super lame. Meanwhile, the best exercises for legs are great things like squats and leg presses. The feeling of barely being able to walk leaving the gym is the best and makes it infinitely better than any other day. – Michael Bryant
GAMES
Monument Valley
This week, I’ve been absolutely captivated by Monument Valley. The game’s stunning, minimalist art style and mind-bending architecture make every level feel like a work of art. As you guide Princess Ida through a series of optical illusions and impossible structures, the game challenges your perception, encouraging you to see the world from new angles. Each puzzle is satisfying without being frustrating, and the ambient soundtrack only enhances the immersive, calming experience. It’s the perfect escape when you want a blend of mental stimulation and relaxation. I think everyone should give Monument Valley a try, especially if you enjoy puzzle games with a unique twist. It’s not just about solving puzzles—it’s about immersing yourself in a surreal world where geometry is fluid, and the impossible becomes possible. The game’s intuitive controls make it accessible for players of all skill levels, and its short, beautifully crafted levels fit perfectly into a busy schedule. Whether you’re playing to unwind or for the joy of discovery, Monument Valley is a must-play experience. – Ella Engle
Egg Inc.
This week, I’m very excited about Egg Inc., a surprisingly satisfying game where you grow a chicken empire and become the greatest entrepreneur of all time. It’s a relatively simple game, you hold down a button to gain chickens, and they run across the screen into a hen house, then they make you money. You can upgrade your shipping capacity, hen house space, and make the eggs more valuable so you can get even more money. After you get enough money, you can get a new egg, such as a superfood egg, a metal egg, or a fusion egg, each getting to be worth more and more. After your progress slows down so much, you can prestige to get soul eggs, which add a multiplier to your eggs value, so you can progress more and get more soul eggs. There isn’t really an end goal, but as you get further and further into the game, it gets more and more fun. You can go to space, you can buy quantum trains, and you can even customize what your chickens look like. One of the best parts is that in all the time I’ve played it, I’ve never gotten ads unless I wanted to watch one for a small boost. – Miles Forshay
EATS
Tan-Cha
I’m a foodie and I love trying out new places to eat so today’s suggestion is Tan-Cha. I love little food shops they’re so nice and since it is little it’s quieter than most places. Tan Cha is a bubble tea store mostly known for their teas. When I first visited the drink that caught my attention was the red Jade milk tea with tiramisu foam. I also very much liked their strawberry smoothie. They don’t have much to eat except very light snacks. I particularly liked the popcorn chicken. No, it’s not popcorn. The chicken looks like popcorn and has the same crunch like popcorn. I learned about Tan-Cha through my friend Marelin. Yes, Marelin loves going to study at little coffee shops/boba shops. She loves doing that and again in this particular instance we were going on a study date. We were choosing places and again Marelin recommended this place. We tried the place out and it was great. Tan cha was very quiet and the food and drinks were chef’s kiss! I recommend this place so much. – Ashley Chay Chay
Buttered Pasta
Buttered pasta with parmesan cheese is currently my favorite food. Despite the phenomenal taste of this simplistic dish, the biggest reason for this new obsession is the nostalgia that comes with it. Similar to most other kids, buttered pasta was the filet mignon of my youth. Although it has no protein or nutrition for your body, buttered pasta can often be the perfect meal, especially for when I can’t decide what to eat. However, the specific kind of noodles and parmesan cheese is vital in creating the perfect bowl of pasta. Personally, I love corkscrew pasta or macaroni the best because of the size and shape of each noodle. It is also important to grate the cheese at home instead of buying pre-shredded parmesan. I use a block of cheese from Costco and grate it directly onto the pasta whenever needed. – Anna Kate Flood
Hot Fries
Hot Fries are spicy chips made by the Chester’s brand. Hot Cheetos and Takis have been very popular for a long time but Hot Fries are starting to take the lead. Many people enjoy Hot Fries more than Hot Cheetos. I personally love them all but Hot Fries are my favorite. It’s the perfect level of spice and never too soft or crunchy. Hot Fries are starting to take over vending machines in Chamblee. Every time Hot Fries is restocked it’s gone in a day. I have loved hot fries since before they were big, I used to get a bunch of little bags from 5 Below back in seventh grade. Hot Fries is finally getting the love they deserve and you should love them, too. – Kira Lawson
Motor City Pizza Company
We try to eat healthy at home, buying fresh ingredients and preparing quick meals with as few processed foods as possible. But, goshdangit, sometimes at the end of the day I just want to put a frozen pizza in the oven and eat it 20 minutes later. Enter Motor City Pizza, which I stumbled upon at a Wal-Mart in 2023. Deep-dish, Detroit-style square pizza sounded good that day, and for $8 a pie, it looked worth it. It was! And still is! The crust gets golden brown and cheese crisps on top of it. There is no way these pies pass the Dr. Nick “window to heart attack” test, and I know they probably rob me of longevity. But for a quick, easy and delicious pizza party – nothing is better. – Fred Avett
SOUNDS
Title Fight
Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Title Fight. All of the songs that I have listened to have been amazing. Their entire album Floral Green has some of the best songs I’ve ever heard. My personal favorite from that album has to be “Lefty.” It is so catchy and the guitar is spectacular. I love the vocals in all of their songs, as they seem to complement the rhythm very well. Every week I seem to get a new song by them stuck in my head, and I am quite addicted to listening to them. However, they unfortunately disbanded back in 2018. It is highly unlikely that they will get back together, which is a shame. Their discography is beautiful. Overall, Title Fight is a great band with amazing music that needs to get back together. Title Fight – Sasha Lapayeva
Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles
Magical Mystery Tour is one of my favorite Beatles’ albums. My favorite Beatles’ song “Strawberry Fields Forever” is on this album. Although it is one of their most popular songs, I still enjoy it very much. I love so much about it, such as the tune and the lyrics. One aspect I like is that it is a technically complex song. It changes to a different key throughout the songs and is made up of many different takes. This album also contains many other amazing tracks like “I Am the Walrus,” “Magical Mystery Tour,” and some less popular songs (which is difficult to say about The Beatles) such as “Flying” and “Blue Jay Way.” It also has the iconic song “All You Need is Love.” It was very much a defining work of psychedelic rock with so many amazing songs. – Juliet Gonzalez
The Mockingbird and the Crow by HARDY
If you’re a fan of country or rock, or both, or neither, then you should check out the album “The Mockingbird and The Crow” by HARDY. The album has a unique format, since it’s half country and half rock. The songs written in lowercase letters are country, while those written in all caps are rock. HARDY has been classified as “too rock for country” and “too country for rock.” So, instead of avoiding these labels, he played into them for this album. For me, this was a very eye opening album because I wasn’t really a fan of rock music, but hearing the songs from the rock side of the album left me with a new understanding of rock. On the country side, HARDY broke away from the overused stereotypes in songwriting, producing really well-written and thought-provoking songs that cover overlooked topics in country music, like depression and screen addiction. My favorite songs on the rock side are “Jack,” “Sold Out,” and “Kill S*** Til I Die” (which is my baseball warm up song). On the country side of the album, my favorite songs are “Red” (featuring the extremely talented Morgan Wallen), “Screen,” and “Happy,” which, lyrically, is one of my favorite songs of all time. Stream The Mockingbird and the Crow on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music. – Maven Bolick
