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Creativity in translation
Splendid books deserve to be shared, just like fantastic movies or music. I have translated excerpts in Chinese from books and poems to English. They are treasures that belong to the world, and I don’t want to see them trammeled by the scopes of language. A good piece of translation is part of the creative process, not a mechanical exercise that is easily done with a computer. A computer can translate words, but they can't translate feelings. Computer-generated translations can be grammatically correct, but lack imagination. When we start to draw the images that hide in our head and lead them...
Current Events, Climate Change and Your Health
With the two climate strikes that happened in September, important conversations are happening about what needs to be done to improve the planet for future generations. Surrounding the dates of the United Nations Climate Action Summit, strikers across the world demanded climate justice for everyone. The demands included an end to the age of fossil fuels, as well as an energy revolution with climate justice and equity as its driving factor. The climate strikes — which have involved everyone from school-aged children to senior citizens — show that climate change is no longer an issue that can be...
Making sense of the world through photography
Information has never been more accessible than it is today. With just a few clicks, I can find out just about anything on any subject of my choosing. With just the press of a button, I can access 24-hour news. While this certainly has its benefits (I cannot imagine having to write an essay on epistemology without the aid of the internet), I have come to realize that for many people, this has at least one big downside. In a time when we are constantly bombarded with general information, facts, and figures, people have become numb to some of the most pressing issues humanity is still trying to...
Which College Will Divest Next?
Signs and protestors proclaiming “Injustice is not an investment,” “Climate change is not a game,” and “We’re still here”... The heated adrenaline is almost palpable if you step onto college campuses today. The kids are asking for divestment. According to Fossil Free, universities have divested around $14 trillion to date. Divesting means that they will actively sell shares in companies that spark environmental or social concerns. In the words of 350.org, this implies “a fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy for all,” “no new fossil fuel projects anywhere,” and “not a penny more...
Is it finally time to get rid of the SAT and ACT tests?
I assume that most of you guys already know about the entrance tests for college, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT). Standardizing tests have ignited a national debate in the last few years, and many parents feel understandably concerned about their children being judged on the basic tests that don’t seem to correlate with actual learning or with successful college and career outcomes. As a senior in high school who has been experiencing high school enough to state this: I strongly believe that standardized tests are unnecessary for students and it...
What high school should look like in a couple of years
Are you wondering what a student's life will look like in a couple of years? They will not have to work up so early like I did when I was still a high school student. I am so jealous! Back in the day, every day in the morning, I fight the sleepiness battle. My school starts at 7:50 a.m which I believe is extremely early for all students in general. Meanwhile, high school students are considered to be going through puberty, a step in their life before entering adulthood. Regarded, it’s the most significant period of time for teenagers to balance academics and social life. Getting enough sleep...
The Flaw in the Education System
Education is the very key to success. While less developed countries are struggling to deliver education to all of their people, developed countries still have a problem - a flaw in the system itself. What’s this flaw, you may ask? Have you ever asked yourself “Why am I learning Hamlet when I want to become a scientist?” or “Why am I taking algebra and do all of these complicated math problems when I want to become an artist?” Well, most would answer that it is to meet the requirement for graduation. This is the reason why the education system is flawed: students are forced to learn things...
Tik Tok is Harming the Earth
I am ashamed to say, but being in quarantine I can say I spend majority of my day scrolling through tiktok. TikTok has played a major role in the entertainment of Gen Z and actually has good impact such as educating in politics and raising awareness of topics that don't get much coverage. On the other hand, TikTok is harming the earth without even knowing. Fashion is a major niche of the platform and many creators promote their favorite affordable clothing stores such as Aliexpress, Shein, and Zara. The issue with these affordable brands are the ethics and sustainability. Many of these brands...
Teaching the new generation about recycling: green initiatives for the youth of tomorrow
Today, environmental awareness is not an option, but a necessity, and its presence needs to make itself known in all areas of everyday life. The duties and responsibilities of parents and educators should be intertwined with those of global citizens, so that the generation born after the year 2010 can live, work, and thrive on a sustainable planet. According to the Center for Science Education, the measures we take today do not guarantee a friendlier environment, partly because it may take years for the changes to take effect and partly because not all countries contribute in the same way...
Why don't we humans care about the thing that cares about us the most?
Climate change is real. Temperatures are rising, and in a few years, if we still continue our ignorant and malevolent actions, the peaceful and green environment will not exist and trust me it wont be mendable. Fossil fuels: petrol, diesel, oil, etc. Non-renewable sources. The wreckers of the pleasant atmosphere. Burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide which heats up the globe. The same globe that we live on, the same globe that takes care of us. It is taking care of you right now as you are reading this. It serves you with food, oxygen and so many things you don't know that exist but...
The Perfect Harmony!
The Perfect Harmony~ Where the sky is sparkly blue, Where the sun is bright shine, Where the birds are chirping melodiously, Where the cold breeze touches your face, Where you feel loved and protected, Where you feel nurtured and rejuvenated is in the lap of Mother Nature. As far as I can see beauty lies all around me, The lush greenery the beautiful creek, The water running over the pebbles, Their lies serenity, The perfect harmony.
How Trade School Can Help Solve the U.S. Income Gap
The American dream: you grow up. Get a college education. Land a good job and then buy a house and start a family, and you and yours are set for life. It’s a nice story — but if the Great Recession of 2008 taught us anything, it’s that, all too often, stories are just that: stories. For many, that story may not even begin with a college degree, no matter what mom, dad, or teacher might say. Still, the new millennium is not a friendly time for trade schools in the US, either. For too many prospective students and their families, the nearly five decades old stigma against trade schools persists...
When Will We Realize? - a poem
I Remember I remember oceans trembling and spilling gently with water. I remember dew drops glistening on pinecones, roses and buttercups reflecting the colours of spice blush and butter Barefoot and silent, I remember cupping mouthfuls of fresh river water picking up dried up petals . I remember those beautiful days. Those beautiful days when the sun glowed just right. Those beautiful days when the wind swooped gently soothing the harsh sunlight. Once, this entire ground filled crimson and coffee barks and peeping through the bushels of leaves I saw red flecked cardinals sitting there...
World: Dismantling
Hang onto the morning at its smallest just before the sky cracks to let in the morning’s rays. Remember the passing seasons and the gait of wisteria often buried under raucous life The cold summer sun resting quietly between satin curtains. Hold both the silence and the noise in the same hand because this world is burning too fast to hold it all. As you listen for the horizon noise of trains going, people rushing ask if you reach for the bits of this world before they become buried, returning to ash returning to the Earth for eternity, for infinity I plea, listen to the woods glowing in...
COVID-19; A Threat to Our Future Generations?
If you are a high school student, you know that every and any information spreads like wildfire. From gossips to the expected grades, chances are that every student is aware of them. Then it was of no surprise that the rumors of school closing because of COVID-19 were also being talked about in every class. At first, the teachers would try to end the discussion itself by holding up their hands or rolling their eyes. However, when the coronavirus became a common theme of discussion, there was a hint of panic in everyone's voice. Almost every school in the nearby districts were closing, and I...
How to Become a Youth Activist: Q&A With Matthew Tikhonovsky
If you are like me, you want to get involved with activism and fight for causes you believe in. Like me, you might be passionate about a particular issue or movement, ranging from climate change to racial injustice, but you don’t know where to start or how to get involved. Luckily, I’m here to help. For the next month, I’ll be interviewing youth activists who have made a positive change in their communities and sharing their secrets and insights. For the first interview, I chatted with Matthew Tikhonovsky, an American youth activist who is passionate about refugee advocacy. He is the founder...
Asian ≠ Coronavirus
"I don't want to sit next to him, he probably has the coronavirus"..."Bro did he just cough, corona time"... Before the outbreak in America, words like this causally spread in school, I mean, words kinda hurt... It's pathetic and embarrassing when coronavirus doesn't even discriminate but a human does. Not only in school - outside the school people also gave me "looks". I forgot to mention something, I'm from Wuhan, you already know that gave those racist a good chance to discriminate. Two weeks later the school called time out, they said we are out of the school for 3 days, but I already knew...
The Importance Of Budgeting During College
College is an incredible experience — even if it does have a “double-edged sword” vibe. Learning something you’re passionate about, completing a degree, and beginning your career in the best position possible are all well worth a good old four-year collegiate effort. However, those aforementioned pros come with some cons as well. For instance, college is known for hefty workloads, late nights spent studying, and unstable finances. Between the overwhelming costs of tuition and the lack of sustainable income, college can be a financial nightmare. While it’s difficult to find a way to completely...
HUMANS.
Humans, most popularly known as the "top of the food chain", they supposedly have the best brains. Using these brains they deforest our jungles, litter everywhere, hunt for endangered animals for a sport, which leads to more cruelty towards other living beings. But I mean why do we care, we are at the top. Us humans, deforest jungles. Why? Urbanization? Medicine? Space? Toilet - paper? Nope. none of them. It's because we believe that we are superior to all beings on this planet, because we are more in number, are more smarter, have more power. Honestly, we don't. Just imagine, standing before...