Advice Archives - Page 2 of 14

The Best Advice in the World on How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

February 29, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

We’re approaching Quarter 4 and nearing the end of the school year. Classes are getting more difficult. There are more tests, and extracurricular activities are becoming more demanding–all of which can result in a struggle to get a good night’s sleep. So, here I have compiled some ways of getting a good night’s sleep in order to be rested and ready for school the next day. First, I’ve compiled some scientifically proven facts by reliable sources about restful sleep. Second, you get my own anecdotal advice on how I manage to get a good night’s sleep.

Scientifically Proven Facts

Don’t drink coffee at night.

As we all know, coffee is used to stay awake. So, it makes sense that if you’re going to sleep, do not drink coffee as it will keep you awake. According to sleepfoundation, “Caffeine promotes wakefulness by blocking adenosine, a sleep-inducing chemical.” Staff Writer Danielle Pacheco and Dr. Dustin Cotliar, Sleep Medicine Physician, also advise you to “avoid caffeine at least 8 hours before bedtime to ensure better sleep quality” (sleepfoundation).

No electronic devices at night.

So, according to cdc.gov, it is recommended that you “Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones, from the bedroom.” I don’t know if I really agree with this, it sounds kind of lame. But the reason why is because “Tempting as it might be to use your computer or phone before bed, studies have shown these devices can interfere with sleep by suppressing the production of melatonin, a natural hormone released in the evening to help you feel tired. . . . This leads to neurophysiologic arousals that increase feelings of alertness when you should be winding down instead” (sleepfoundation). Honestly, the use of technology helps me wind down faster, but I can’t go against the science, I guess.

Exercise.

Exercise naturally makes us tired. And, according to cdc.gov, getting “some exercise [. . . and] being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.” This suggestion makes a lot of sense. Sometimes I go play basketball with my friends, and when I come back, I’m so tired the first thing I do is go straight to bed and get a great night’s sleep. Getting exercise to help with sleep I 1000% agree with, and I would recommend.

My Own “Totally” Accurate Advice

Choose the perfect position to sleep.

The position in which you sleep is very important and most definitely affects how you wake up the next day. Here is a picture, for your reference, of the different sleeping positions:

There are endless possibilities for how you can sleep. I personally prefer #2. However, #1, 6, 15, and 16 are kind of lame but aren’t the worst. #3, 4, 5, 8, 12, and 14 will make you wake up with horrible back or neck pain. #13 just looks ridiculous. I wouldn’t want to sleep like #18 because I feel like I would die due to lack of oxygen. Anyway, the point is that you need to pick a good sleeping position to ensure a good night’s sleep.

DON’T go to sleep early….

I know this sounds like it doesn’t make sense, but whenever I go to sleep at like 8:30 p.m. and wake up the next morning at 7 a.m., I genuinely feel more tired than when I went to sleep the night before. I recommend going to sleep at 10:30 p.m. and waking up at 6:30-7:00 a.m. the next morning. It’s the perfect eight hours of sleep. I think the only occasion when it’s fine to sleep 10+ hours is when you’re sick.

Chug Water.

For my last piece of advice, I recommend you drink tons of water before going to bed. It may be a little dangerous in case you need to use the restroom, but honestly chugging water just makes me fall asleep faster. The reason why is that it refreshes you, and it also makes my throat not be dry which helps me breathe better, and that’s why it helps me fall asleep faster. Also, if you wake up in the middle of the night, drink more water. And, drink again when you wake up the next morning, too. Chugging water is risky but most definitely worth the healthy hydration in my opinion.

There it is, a compilation of advice from proven facts that you should most definitely use and my awesome advice that obviously works and definitely will help you have a better night’s sleep. Finals and APs are coming. You’ll need good nights of rest. Do you have any advice of your own? Let me know in the comments!

Things Jess is Bringing into 2024

February 27, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Senior Jess Billimore

While she’s not yet working for Consumer Reports, we’ve got our own Jess Billimore with ratings, reviews, and advice on products she’s tried. Here are a few she liked so much in 2023, she’s gonna keep using them right on through 2024.

The new year is well into its second month! Everybody’s talked about new things in the new year, but there were so many great products that I found last year. I don’t want to leave them behind. So, here are the items I discovered and loved in 2023 that I am definitely bringing into 2024 with me.

Starting off strong with the Owala water bottle–I got this as a Christmas gift, and I love it so much. Unlike many other water bottles I have tried, this is completely leak proof. It also keeps your water cold all day, which is great for school. Owala water bottles are super pretty and come in a huge variation of colors, so there is something for everyone.

Next we have a hair mask. Fino is a Japanese brand that I discovered on TikTok. I have tried several hair masks before, and this one really lives up to the hype. This mask makes your hair super soft and silky. I could see these results after just one use. Last year I damaged my hair with heat and frequent bleaching; incorporating this hair mask into my hair routine has helped massively, and I can see myself using this product for years to come.

Staying on the topic of hair moves me to my favorite curler ever, the Conair Curl Secret InfinitiPRO Curling Iron. I can’t express how much I love this. To begin, it’s so much more time efficient than a regular hair curler; I can finish my whole head within 10 minutes. I also no longer have to worry about burning myself as it has a protective guard and does all the work for you, so you don’t even need to know how to curl hair! I try to avoid using too much heat, which takes me to my final reason for loving this product, and that is the curls last for days!

Now, for one that surprised me, and that is the Hooga Red Light Therapy Wand. I had heard a lot of good things about red light therapy in general. I didn’t know if it was legit, but I did some of my own research and it totally is: “Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that uses low wavelength red light to reportedly improve your skin’s appearance, such as reducing wrinkles, scars, redness and acne. It’s also touted to treat other medical conditions (my.clevelandclinic.org). You may be wondering, how does this work? As we age, our skin produces less collagen and what red light therapy does is penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating the cells that produce that collagen. Then, this new collagen moves up to your skin’s surface, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Now, a full-on red-light facemask is quite expensive, potentially a future investment for me. For now I just have the wand. I’ve had it for about two months, and I’m already seeing some of the benefits, such as brighter skin and reduced redness. This really has elevated my self-care routine. I would recommend the Hooga Red Light Therapy Wand.

Finally, the Miss Dior perfume! I know you are probably thinking, really, a perfume? But, this would have to be my all-time favorite scent. I love it so much and try to save it for special occasions, which could be a reason I like it as I associate it with good memories. As for the scent, it’s very fresh, floral, and light. I get so many compliments whenever I wear it!

That’s all for today! What would you most like to try?

A New Year’s Post for The Haters

February 6, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

I hate New Year’s resolutions. I hate everyone asking me about what my New Year’s resolution is. I misread the situation. I say something funny or realistic, and they say something that I think is a joke because it’s so unrealistic, BUT THEY ARE BEING SERIOUS. Another reason I hate New Year’s resolutions is that they are always given up on. When you fail, you feel bad.

Ever since I was a kid, my mother (whom I love) has asked me what my goal is in the summer, winter, and of course for the NEW YEAR. For several years, I got away with saying that I wanted to learn how to do a back handspring, until the fateful day that I quit gymnastics. So then after that, I started learning something called sarcasm. Essentially every time someone asks me my New Year’s resolution, I either lecture them about why established habits are better, or I say some rather odd response: my favorite being, “Chair,” but my go-to is “to high dive off of the sun.” Such replies are said, of course, with a completely straight face. I am sick of New Year’s resolutions. The thing is that other people aren’t. I have heard countless times, “My New Year’s resolution is to go to the gym and work out every day!” Fun fact the gym has the most membership cancellations right after the new year (70.4 percent to be exact) (New York Post). Which brings me to my next point, why New Year’s resolutions are unrealistic.

New Year’s resolutions have always been rather unattainable. The top resolutions in general are to save money and go to the gym (Massive entertainment). Despite the fact that only 9 percent of New Year’s resolutions last for more than a few months (OSU), I still hear so many people talking about these completely unrealistic expectations for themselves! Though these unrealistic expectations lead to frustration, disappointment, and sadness (Counseling), people still want to put themselves through the trial of New Year’s resolutions! According to a study in 2014, 35% of these resolutions are completely unrealistic, and 23% are forgotten (Face off). According to reclaim.ai, 80% of these resolutions are thrown out by the second Friday in January. Quitting your resolutions by the second Friday of January apparently is so common that the day is known as “Quitters Day.” Many people believe that the largest reason why resolutions fail is because we as humans set the expectation a little too high (Very Well Mind). I can’t help but agree. The thing we really should start doing is setting habits.

My New Year’s habit this year is to move my body for at least 45 minutes. It’s not a wish, or an unrealistic goal, but a simple walk. It helps lower blood pressure, build muscle, and even helps blood to flow a little easier (Honor Health). Movement is great for mental health! Walking for just 10 minutes a day can increase positive mood, alertness, and reduce stress and anxiety (Mental Health Foundation). Taking a walk with my mom, neighbor (and best friend) Kate, or even just calling some friends while I walk is my favorite pastime right now–that and climbing trees. If you need a little mental health and physical pick-me-up, try to get outside for at least 15 minutes every day. You will feel better. I highly recommend these New Year’s habits because they will help you in the future. Whether your habit is to get outside, walk, or wear more makeup, it’s always good to start a habit that invests in yourself, even if your need is catching up on your sleep. After all, in the words of our blog teacher herself, “Even humans need to hibernate–just like bears.”

As you can see, there have been studies upon studies for these sorts of resolutions and expectations, and . . . failures–which very much backs up my speculation that perhaps New Year’s resolutions aren’t so great after all. Perhaps next year, a resolution could be to start making good habits.

Found: The Worst Relationship Advice on the Internet

November 1, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Senior Gil Maruvada

We started the year with “How-To Relationships.” Gil mused on the subject for so long, we almost . . . abandoned his contribution. But, the junior class, saw Gil’s headline on the board under “Posts in the Works.” They clamored for the publication of the post. They wanted to know what was the worst relationship advice out there. Love Doctor Gil, flattered by their interest, finished the post. Here it is, late for its deadline, but ready wwaaaaayyy before Valentine’s Day.

Hi folks. Lots of relationship advice is out there, just floating around. Sometimes you have that one friend or relative who gives it to you unsolicited even though you never asked and you just want them to shut up because why do they think they are in any position to give advice and now the situation is devolving into an awkward mess where you try and explain to them exactly how uninformed they sound and you just want them to leave you alone. You know who you are, James.

But a lot of that strange unsolicited advice is on the internet as well. I’m compiling for you some of the worst relationship advice on the internet. Now “worst” is an entirely subjective measure, so first we will be going through what people say is the worst relationship advice ever given to them.

Let’s start with some threads from Quora and Reddit where people talk about the worst relationship advice that they have ever received. (But let’s keep in mind that attention-seeking, “like”-maximizing behavior on the internet could mean that some people exaggerate or completely fabricate bad relationship advice for internet points.) Quora user Dushka Zapata who has amassed a total of 260k followers and 9.1k answers on Quora since 2015 has compiled a list of 24 pieces of the worst relationship advice she has heard. The list goes as follows:

Your soulmate is out there!
You are too picky.
He should make the first move.
Play hard to get.
Remain a mystery.
Intelligent women are a threat so let him feel he has the answers.
If it’s not headed towards marriage you are wasting your time.
If he is jealous it means he loves you.
If he is possessive it means he loves you.
If he is abusive it means he loves you.
Buying a house together will save your relationship.
Get married. It will save your relationship.
Have a kid. It will save your relationship.
Give it time. He will change.
If you love him, change for him.
Watch him like a hawk.
Your significant other should be your highest, only priority.
He should be your everything.
Don’t rock the boat.
Don’t go to bed angry.
Love hurts.
Love means sacrifice.
Love is enough.
Love conquers all.

(What is the worst relationship advice you have received or overheard?)

The problems with this advice are derived from it being a mix of empty platitudes, red flags, ideas that are simply false, and “solutions” that don’t solve anything. Other pieces of bad relationship advice on Reddit are similar to things on this list. If you are interested, I encourage you to check out “[Serious] What’s the worst relationship advice you’ve ever heard?” on Reddit or any number of similar threads and look for hidden gems or things you disagree with.

Now let’s talk about what actual “experts” have to say about the topic. (I don’t have a good reason to put experts in quotes, but the general distrust of anyone with a modicum of authority or experience is the new trendy “in” thing, kids). In order to do this, let’s look at “6 experts share the worst piece of relationship advice they’ve ever heard,” written by Shana Lebowitz, a correspondent of Business Insider. One piece of advice in here that stood out to me was the challenge to the idea that “honesty is the best policy.” This is an understandable challenge but surprising because you hear this platitude so much. As our blog teacher Ms. Zachik said, “I think lying is really key in a relationship.”

In general, I personally think that most relationship advice on the internet is bad relationship advice. Given the internet’s track record, I don’t think it’s really safe to trust it. Plus with algorithms working to erode our sense of community and our place in the world, always making us more isolated in order to make it easier to market to us, the advice that rises to the top might not be high quality. Internet advice is less like cream of the crop and more like dead fish that floated to the surface.

In conclusion, the world is already an Orwellian corporate surveillance state monitoring your every move and thought and constantly trying to make sure you behave and stay obedient so that they can sell your most personal secrets to the highest bidder. Remember, 2+2=5, trust the government completely, and if you don’t hear from me again it’s because I’ve been unpersoned.

How to Survive Disneyland

September 26, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

As we explore How To Be in Healthy Relationships–with our dogs, with our significant others, Indy delves into his relationship with . . . Disneyland.

By Senior Indiana Behr

Two weeks ago, I went to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and I realized I just had to write an article about it. I have tips like how to not spend half your day in line, where to eat, how to save money, and which are the best rides.

Keep this in mind when reading: Disneyland Resort has two parks, Disneyland Park and California Adventure. You need separate tickets to access them, or you can pay extra and get Park Hopper tickets–where from 11:00 a.m. until close you can switch parks as much as you wish. When I say Disneyland, I am referring to the entire resort including both parks, hotels, etc. When I say Disneyland Park, that just means one of the two parks within the resort.

Preparation

There are a few things that you should do before you even start driving to Disneyland. (It’s a two-hour drive from the desert.) Firstly, try to make a plan as early as possible. If you buy tickets at the last minute, it can be more expensive, and you will also have fewer options. Some parks will sell out, or they won’t let you buy a Park Hopper ticket. If you are a California resident, you can usually get a two-day pass for only $83 per person per day (Note: you cannot get a Park Hopper ticket with this).

There’s one thing you should always get if it’s available, and even last minute; it sells out almost never–Get Genie+ Service. It is $25 per person each day, and it applies to both parks if you have a Park Hopper ticket. At several times throughout the day, you will be able to buy a pass to get in separate shorter lines. If you’re strategic, it’s totally worth it, and you can double the amount of good rides every day.

Planning to go for several days? Then you’ll have to think about hotels. Hotels are much harder and way more expensive to get last minute than park entrance tickets. If you start looking weeks in advance, you will most likely be able to pick any of the three Disneyland resort hotels. If you’re not staying in the resort, there is a list of 58 hotels that are approved by Disney to be of good quality. These hotels are not overpriced, and they are all near the resort–either within walking or bus distance. You can check the list of recommended hotels here. Also, there is a 24-hour IHOP, a McDonald’s, and a Panera immediately outside Disneyland near the off-resort hotels. Keep these in mind if you do not want to spend lots of money to get the often mediocre food inside the parks.

There are three hotels in Disneyland, and all are within a five-minute walk to both parks. One of them is much fancier than the others, yet the others are still very nice, and generally better than those outside the resort.

Let’s talk about the Disneyland Hotel. The first Disney hotel in the world, and the only one Walt Disney was involved with, it opened just a few months after Disneyland did in 1955. Technically, the hotel expanded a lot over time as demand increased, and eventually some of the original hotel was demolished, and now, none of the original hotel is still there. This hotel is pretty cool. It has a very retro Disney feel, and it has not modernized as much as the rest of Disneyland has, which I think is really fun. You will have to walk through Downtown Disney, essentially an outdoor mall that you do not need tickets for. If you are able to get into Disneyland Park, you can take the Monorail that goes into Tomorrowland –that way you can skip the line at the gate, and you can skip the walk. On the Monorail, you also get some cool narrated facts and sightseeing on the way.

If you’re willing to pay a premium for one of the nicest Disney hotel experiences ever, consider the Grand Californian. This hotel is visually stunning, whether it’s the exterior, lobby, or rooms. There are incredible wood accents everywhere; it has the best amenities of any of the hotels by far, and everything about it is pure Disney luxury. During the holidays, it’s even better. Additionally, if you have a ticket for California Adventure, you can go straight into the park through a small entrance on the side of the hotel. That entrance to California Adventure almost never has a line and is so convenient. And, it’s usually quicker to get to Disneyland Park by cutting through here and just walking across the main plaza.

Lastly, there is the Paradise Pier hotel. I would say this is for now my least favorite hotel. It’s themed around what was known as Paradise Pier in California Adventure, which was a Santa Monica-inspired pier with a ferris wheel and some carnival rides and games. In 2018 it became Pixar Pier. For whatever reason, at that point, the plan was for the hotel to stay the same, and it’s honestly just not my preference. It’s not as fancy as the Grand Californian, but the theme isn’t as fun as the Disneyland Hotel. It is, however, usually a little cheaper and quicker to get to both parks than the Disneyland Hotel. This winter, they are finally going to make it Pixar themed and call it the Pixar Place Hotel, which I think will be a very nice upgrade. I am definitely looking forward to seeing it.

Once You’re There

Okay, you’re in Disneyland. It’s the happiest place on earth, and you want to have a fun day or even a few fun days. Maybe you have a Park Hopper ticket and hopefully a Genie+ pass; your hotel could be just outside, or maybe you’re only there for a few hours. Regardless, I have some tips for you. First, try to get there early. If you are staying in a resort hotel, you can usually get into the park 30 minutes before opening. This means arriving between 7:30-8:00 a.m.; you can get on lines for several rides when there is almost no wait. However, only some attractions open at this time. You can check the Disneyland app or site to see which will be open during this period. If you don’t get the app, you can still be efficient. If you get through the security checkpoint before the parks open, you can rope drop, which essentially means being among the first to enter. If you run to your favorite attraction after this, you can usually skip a long line.

No matter the plans, get the Disneyland app. It’s free. Just trust me. There are so many things that you can only do on the app, like getting Genie+ passes, or accessing wait times for rides. Make a Disney account for even more options. If you paid for the Genie+ service, you will need the app to use it, and you will also need to scan your tickets into the app. You can only start buying Genie+ passes to get on faster lines once you are inside a park, but if you have a Park Hopper ticket, you will be able to get Genie+ passes for both parks, not just the one you’re in. Passes will be gone quick. Last week, I got to Disneyland Park 20 minutes after opening, and the earliest Haunted Mansion Holiday pass was for 10:00-11:00 p.m. If you are arriving at the park within the first hour, go get in line. Use the time you’re standing there to get on the app and buy your Genie+ passes.

If you’re there early, once you’re on line, start looking at what options you have. Try starting with a ride that is hours away and/or has a really long standby line. In Disneyland Park, think the Matterhorn, Haunted Mansion between September and December (when it’s holiday themed), Space Mountain, and Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. At California Adventure, try Toy Story Midway Mania, Incredicoaster, Soarin’, or Guardians of the Galaxy. All of these have really long lines day and night, and getting passes will save you hours.

Due to high demand, me and several other PVS students–Jess, Audrey, Lorelei, Zoey, and Landon–had to pay for the Lightning Lane pass for Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land. Genie+ is unavailable for this ride. Here you pay $25 per person to get in the Lightning Lane (the shorter, speedier line). It was 100% worth it.

Let’s talk food (and some beverages, too). I will be honest; a lot of food at Disneyland isn’t very good. However, there are some places that I recommend. In Disneyland Park, I have found all of the best food is in the New Orleans Square section. If you can get reservations, the Blue Bayou is a Cajun restaurant located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It’s very fun and also has pretty good food. If you want to grab something to-go, a new restaurant, Tiana’s Palace, just opened a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, I missed it by two days. However, most reviews say it’s pretty good. My personal favorite Disneyland food is the beignets sold at the Mint Julep Bar. Honestly, I don’t care for the mint juleps, but the beignets are amazing. They are hot, covered in powdered sugar, and Mickey-shaped! You can also mobile order these from the app which is very convenient. Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge has some pretty cool drinks and weird snacks from another galaxy. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you have to visit this spot. If you are addicted to Starbucks, the Market House on Main Street is actually just a Starbucks.

In California Adventure, there are a few good options. The Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus has some pretty interesting items – things like huge soft pretzels with lime and bacon condiments and chicken sandwiches with tiny buns and giant patties. They also are one of the only places that have a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine which means way more drink options. The Smokejumpers Grill in Grizzly Peak has good burgers and chicken tenders. The fried chicken at Flo’s V8 in Cars Land is really good, too. You can mobile order at all of these places. Just like the Market House in Disneyland Park, there is a Starbucks in disguise in California Adventure as well. It’s called Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, and it’s on Buena Vista Street. For what it’s worth, I prefer this location over the Market House. This one has indoor seating, and in my experience the line moves quicker. I also just think this whole area, inspired by Los Angeles in the 1920s, is pretty cool.

If you follow some of these tips, I guarantee you can pack more fun into your day at Disneyland while possibly paying less.

Never do these things in your relationships

September 15, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Oliver’s post is the first in our series on Forbidden Things – stay tuned for forbidden foods, forbidden places, and surprise forbidden Indy things. Follow Oliver’s advice in “Things to Never Do in a Relationship” and you may avoid painful mistakes with that best friend, pet, or with your mother.
–Instructor Zachik

By Oliver Martinez

Have you ever done something to your friend, or your mom, or your pet—maybe as a joke, or by accident, or on purpose–and then you realize that your loved one kind of hates you for it ? Well, here are seven things never to do in your relationships . . . because who wants to be hated?

Don’t Do This to Your Friends

1. Leave your friend hanging

This is just cruel. Making plans and never showing up is pure evilness. After this, don’t expect to be talking to your friend for at least the next week or so. And, it’s even worse when you don’t give them a heads-up that you won’t be showing up. You just don’t show up at all, and now your friend won’t talk to you.

2. Leave your friend on “read”

What’s worse than leaving your friend’s text message on “delivered”?

When you read their message and decide not to respond.

Now, I speak from personal experience. I have been left on “read” and left others on “read ,” too. And, I can see why it’s annoying. Reading someone’s text and just deciding it’s not worth twenty-five seconds of your life to respond can lead to hurt feelings. Now, maybe your friend won’t stop talking to you for this, but they definitely will point it out the next time you hang out with them.

3. Prank your friend

Now, I’m not talking about those little pranks, like joking with your friends or just messing with them. I’m talking about those types of pranks where you throw their phone into a river or throw eggs at them. Those pranks are the ones that make your friend hate you, and “it’s just a joke” won’t fix the situation. Thankfully, for this one, I do not speak from personal experience. I’ve seen it happen, but it hasn’t happened to me.

Don’t Do This With Your Pets

4. Forget to give them their usual treat

Pets are smarter than they seem. They remember the routine of you giving them their usual treat. And, when you forget, they will remind you. And, by reminding you, I mean they will bark at you until you give them their treat. Here, I do speak from personal experience.

5. Put pet clothing on them

Pets hate when you put clothing on them. During the winter, we used to put a little sweater on one of my dogs because we thought she would be cold. But I guess one day she had enough of the sweater and found a way to take it off. She ripped it to shreds. From then on, we didn’t put clothes on my dog anymore. Besides, experts say that dressing up your dog “could cause painful rubbing against a dog’s skin, as well as causing them to potentially overheat and get stressed” (Prima.co.uk). So, whatever you do, don’t dress up your dog.

With Family Members, Remember, Don’t . . .

6. “Forget” to do your chores

Whether you actually forgot to take out the trash or you were just not feeling like it, parents –most of the time– get pretty mad if you don’t do your chores. I think that what annoys them most is knowing that we can easily do our chores but decide not to because we’re lazy. I would recommend at least giving a valid reason on why you couldn’t do your chores.

7. “Forget” to clean your room

This one technically comes under the umbrella of “not doing your chores,” but it’s such a problem that it’s in its own category. Are you ever just relaxing in your room and then your parents walk in and realize it’s a mess? Well, I know this has happened to the vast majority of us. And, parents get really upset when our room isn’t clean and tidy. I understand why they get angry, but at the same time, does my room really look that bad if I forget to make the bed one day? Or if I have two or three water bottles in my nightstand? Well, the point is, clean your room to make your parents happy.

Truth is, it’s impossible to keep everyone happy. At a certain point in time, you will say or do something dumb and your friends and family will briefly hate you for it. Best thing to do is to just make the mistakes and learn from them.

Advice Across the Ages: How to be in a Relationship

September 12, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

One of the perks about being at a school like Palm Valley is that we go all the way from preschool to high-school seniors. This means, with all these ages, interviewing is really fun. I have found with past surveys that the answers to questions vary quite a lot depending on the age of the interviewee. When asking a rather silly question (at least in the little ones’ eyes) like, “Do you have any relationship advice,” kids usually start with a few giggles; whereas angry teenagers usually start with an eye roll. I asked a large group of kids, little ones to teenagers, the same question, Do you have relationship advice for new couples? I started with 4th graders, and worked my way up. Some responses were refreshingly wholesome, and some were outright disturbing.
Blogger Louisa

Asked: What relationship advice do you have for a new couple?

And, Answered:

“Keep like a friend!”

This response came from a little girl named Jasmine Linthreum. A sweet 4th grader, who, when I asked her class if anyone wanted to answer, raised her hand really high with a big smile on her face. This response was very heartwarming.

“First, keep a really safe distance before you act, and make sure you always keep a ring, just in case.”

Luke McDaniel answered with this delightful response; he is in fourth grade and took my question very seriously. He seemed to enjoy answering.

“Just tell the person you like to look up, down, to the side, and to the other side, then down again, then grab their chin and kiss ‘em! It worked for me.”

Sheldon Kirsch seems to know a lot about relationships. The fourth grader was extremely confident in his answer; his was the most mature answer in his class–even if his response might not work for the high schoolers.

“They should do a date every week! And, they should text each other during class, but only if they’re allowed. OH OHH make sure you say you love each other on Instagram!!”

Anna Boutine was one of the most enthused kids I asked; she seemed to have a lot of ideas.

“Try to get to know each other and be honest with each other.”

Cleo Antle (fifth grade) here gave some very good advice, with no giggles beforehand. I think we all can learn something from Cleo’s response.

“Don’t change yourself for anybody.”

This response comes from a delightful Sophia after about five minutes of giggles.

“Don’t rush it and take it slow, and be really careful. Also don’t do a reality tv show; I’ve seen what it does to people.”

Mikel Lomsky is the most mature person I have interviewed in any class. His response is very accurate and wise. He is in the fifth grade.

“Just get to know each other before dating.”

Reagan Kaminsky here burst out laughing when I asked her my question. It was very interesting to compare the differences between her and Mikel, as they were sitting right next to each other, in the same grade, same class, and yet their initial reactions are so different.

“Don’t rush and make sure everything is consensual.”

Bella Lua here seems to know what she’s talking about as she is in a relationship. She was very mature. In comparison to the other kids in the eighth grade that I interviewed, she definitely took this question seriously.

“Lick her earlobes, and uhh treat yo girl with pure kindness and make sure to comfort her.”

Raven Sayers (eighth grade) here is definitely right about the last part.

“Don’t pick someone high maintenance. Don’t buy gifts; keep your money.”

Caleb Kassinove (freshman) is absolutely right. He gave a very mature response.

“Do I look like I know anything about relationships?”

Brooklyn Hatrak (freshman) seems like she’s speaking from experience.

“The honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever.”

Olivia Puetz couldn’t be more correct. She is a freshman in high school and seems like she’s already sick of all the public displays of affection.

“No, I don’t have any relationship advice!!”

Ally Bankers (senior) delivered this response over paper, but she certainly wrote aggressively. I would call this response immature, but she may just not be happy to see me.

“Don’t get in one; it ruins sports and your grades. Be really careful and learn how to balance it.”
Arsh Rehman had one of the most mature responses of his class. He is a senior.

“Listen, forgive, and explain your feelings accurately.”
Mr. Satterfield was very mature, and gave an accurate response.

“Be nice and always open minded.”

Jasmine Grace, LS Administrative Assistant, delivered this response with the appropriate amount of seriousness.

After having interviewed at least two people from a wide variety of ages, I have come to the conclusion that relationship wisdom really just depends on the person and their personal experience. Although I got a lot of giggles from the lower schoolers, I also got a lot of giggles from the seniors. As for maturity, I can confidently say that the teachers I asked were definitely the most serious. I think the levels of maturity really vary depending on the person, but once you get past the age of around twenty, you become much more serious. Thank you to all the kids and adults I interviewed!

Four Ways to get your Fuzzy Friends to Favor You

September 7, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Let’s use “relationship” as a verb, as in how to “ski,” or how to “cook pasta.” Here at thebirdonfire.org, we considered “how to relationship”: how to be the best we can with our loved ones, how to be healthy, giving, and strategic. We have relationships with our spouses, our boyfriends, our girlfriends, our siblings, our parents, and our bff’s. We have relationships with our furry loved ones–or, as Oliver says, our fuzzy loved ones. Oliver considers how to have healthy relationships with our dogs.

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

Having a good relationship with your dog can be hard work. However, there is a reason why dogs are called “man’s best friend.” I have a Basset Hound and a Dachshund–Muñeca and Heidi respectively. I’ve had Muñeca the Basset Hound for three years. Heidi has been with me for ten years. Here are four things that have helped me get along well with my dogs.

Tip #1: Spend time with your dog.

This one may be obvious, but to have a good relationship with your dog, you have to spend time with it. Some ways to do so include: Take your dog on a walk; teach it some tricks; play catch with it. Dogs love when you spend time with them. It makes them feel safe and happy. According to rover.com, “The hormone oxytocin, or ‘the love chemical,’ is released in dogs’ brains during positive social interactions.” It would be wise to spend time with your dog as they enjoy it and start to like you more.

Regularly, Oliver takes his dogs Muñeca and Heidi for walks. He recommends you do the same.

Tip #2: Buy your dog gifts.

Buying your dog a gift every once in a while can feel really nice. Both the doggo and you enjoy these types of moments. Whether it’s a new toy like a chewy squeaky toy or a new bed, dogs like the attention and appreciate you even more.

According to Dr. Ellen Langer, a professor of psychology from Harvard, “When you give a gift to your dog, it’s sort of pure. You just assume the dog is going to like it, you feel relaxed, the dog senses that you’re relaxed, and the interaction is loving.” When the dog perceives that you are relaxed, it relaxes, too. So, maybe it’s time to go buy a gift for your pet–for both your sake and the sake of your dog.

Oliver bought his Basset Hound Muñeca a blue plastic Dodgers cap when she was still a baby. Oliver recommends you present your dogs with the occasional gift.

Tip #3: Reward your dog with treats.

Dogs love being rewarded. And, they also love treats. When your dog is being obedient, why not give it a treat? There are many different types of foods to give your dog. I usually give my dog vegetables, like carrots or celery. I also give my dog salmon bite treats. These dog treats are not only healthy, but dogs genuinely like eating them. According to Reader’s Digest (rd.com), the salmon bites “contain Alaskan salmon oil”; they “improve dog’s skin and coat and can reduce itchiness and chronic licking” and are “easily digestible”–all of which are big pros for your dog’s health.

Apart from that, treats help you train your dog to obey your commands. My dogs get carrots when they “Sit” successfully.

Frequently, Oliver rewards his dogs with treats for good behavior. Here, Muñeca gets a carrot for putting herself to bed.

Tip #4: Respect your dog.

This one may be the most important one of them all. Respecting your dog is very important. It’s like the popular phrase “treat others like you want to be treated.” Dogs are clever animals, and they understand when you show them respect; in turn, they’ll show you respect as well. It is important that we take care of our animals because we accepted responsibility for them when we adopted them. Their well being depends on us. So, let’s make our best effort to respect our dog and show them our love. Talk nicely to your dog–no raising your voice. Pet your dog. In play or training, don’t be physical to the extent that you could hurt your dog.

Having a good relationship with your dog certainly isn’t easy, but is definitely worth it. I’ve been using these tips with my dogs since we got them, and it has worked out pretty well. Try these tips out, and let us know in the comments if they worked!

It’s a bird? No. It’s a plane? No. It’s Jocelynn Montoya!!!

May 16, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Luke continues our senior profile spotlights with a look at Jocelynn (Joss) Montoya–master kayaker, big fan of extra-credit Jeopardy, and AP Calculus lyricist.

By Junior Luke Sonderman

Joss, Class of 2023, has recently committed to the University of California Irvine (UCI). There’s a lot you may not know about Joss, so let’s take a brief moment to talk a little bit about her.

Joss Montoya was born in Glendale, California, in 2005. Joss spent most of her childhood in Los Angeles, moving to the desert and enrolling in Palm Valley during 10th grade. Joss’s favorite part about moving to the desert has been “the better school and better friends.”

Throughout her time at Palm Valley, Joss has been a member of the Varsity Girls Volleyball Team and the Varsity Baseball Team. She achieved an athletic award for her dedication to the sports program at Palm Valley. “I’ve made lots of friends through the sports teams I’ve been a part of . . . . The athletics I’ve participated in have helped keep me active throughout the school year,” said Joss.

Graduating Senior Joss Montoya will head off to UC Irvine.

Aside from her sports career at Palm Valley, in her senior year, Joss held the position of Vice President in Student Government. Her leadership helped coordinate successful events over the course of this year such as the 2022 Upper School Homecoming, the Middle and Upper School Winter Dream Dance, the 2023 Upper School Prom at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Resort, and many others. She even, on occasion, dressed up as the school mascot Phineas the Firebird during school activities! Joss joined student government because “she wanted to make student life more fun, bringing more events for students in the Middle and Upper Schools.”

In the fall of 2023, Joss will be attending UC Irvine, planning to major in medicine. Joss intends on pursuing a career in dermatology. “I want to attend UCI because it is a great school and has a great campus,” said Joss. Some of Joss’s other college acceptances included Hawaii Pacific University with a full tuition scholarship, University of Arizona with a $30,000 per year scholarship, Oregon University with a $10,000 per year scholarship, and Azusa Pacific University with a $20,000 per year scholarship. Must be some genius, huh.

Joss’s parting words for Palm Valley staff and students are, “I know school won’t be the same without me, but try to have some fun.”

Maya Karpaty: An Interview with a Senior

May 9, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Our seniors are graduating. It happens every year. We take this week to sit down and discuss senior memories, profiles, hopes, futures, and words of wisdom.

By Middle-School Blogger Louisa Richardson

This week I had the privilege of sitting down with one of Palm Valley’s very own–Maya Karpaty. I interviewed her about her upcoming graduation and life after high school. The interview mainly focused on her personal life, but the interview did include some pieces of advice for our new high schoolers and some advice for the high school.

In the fall, Maya is going to the University of Puget Sound. She received admission offers from many other schools, including scholarships to places like UC Santa Cruz and the University of Puget Sound. Puget Sound is located in northwestern Washington, specifically in Tacoma. Maya is excited to try Washington, but she isn’t sure she wants to move there when she is all done with college.

Maya is a double major in songwriting and literature, but she says that she values songwriting a little bit more. Maya says that her dream is to travel the world touring with her guitar. Maya sings about relationships and universal truths. Her inspiration is Phoebe Bridgers. You can find Maya’s music on Maya’s soundcloud.

Maya Karpaty says Ms. Schapiro, Ms. Bassanelli, and her parents have been a very big help in getting her to where she is today. Although Maya is currently dead set on attending Puget Sound, her views on college have changed since she was a kid. Maya says, “When I was little, I was totally oblivious to college, and the way that people had their dream schools.” She continues, “This mindset was a big help later because I didn’t have one school I wanted to go to or one major path.”

Speaking of dream schools, Maya’s favorite thing about Palm Valley is how the teachers care less about grades and more about the individual students. She states, “I got here in junior year, from a public school. The school [there] was great, but the teachers didn’t have as good of a support system as they do here; in comparison to my last school the teachers show support and I can also get to know my teachers; it feels more . . . that they are on your side rather than just throwing papers at you.” However, as great of a school as Palm Valley is, she does have some ways it can improve! She says, “Make things more fun for students because we’re still kids and we need school to be more than just constant work.”

All in all, Maya Karpaty is a great person. She was extremely kind and very honest in her interview. She seems to know what she is doing when it comes to college. She encourages us all to not stress about what we’re doing in the future. She says focus on ourselves and our good health. In short, Maya is a great influence on our youth here at PVS and an impressive graduate.