The Palm Valley School Student Blog
By Senior Jess Billimore
In the springtime haze, there is a breeze,
Petals dance around with ease, breathtaking sunsets,
My love for spring is true, each beginning is new,
Birds sing melodies, sweet and serene,
Living like this feels like a dream, when the day ends i take a sigh,
An array of colors kiss the sky, i envy the birds as they fly,
Lost in spring, nature’s hush,
Each day i feel a rush, butterflies dance in the soft sunlight,
And my dreams take flight.
By Sophomore Oliver Martinez
Spring is officially here; now we can see some plant growth; snow is melting and going away, and we are entering warmer times. However, there are some downsides to warmer spring weather–like awful allergies. I’ve personally started to feel these allergies, and that makes me like spring less. Still, to celebrate spring’s arrival, I’ve made my rankings from worst to best of the seasons of the year.
Autumn is in my opinion very boring and the least eventful time of the year. Plants start to lose their leaves, which not only is really sad to see, it just makes it worse that it’s so windy so the leaves go all over the place. It makes it a pain to clean them up. On top of that, this is that sad time of year when school starts. Another thing I dislike about Autumn, weirdly, is the name. Autumn is such a weird name. I don’t know how to explain it, but it sounds so… artificial. Also, I hear people say they like the colors. I think there is nothing to like about them. Orange and yellow are lame colors. There are many that are far better than that.
Spring was close to going into last place, but I think it’s slightly better than Autumn. My main reason for disliking the season is that during Spring, allergies come around. I swear I haven’t gone a year of my life without getting allergies during Spring. They’re the most annoying thing ever. I hate them so much. I hate going to sleep knowing that I’m going to have to breathe through my mouth. It’s also really annoying to have a stuffy nose and, worst of all, a sore throat. I think that after COVID-19 came around, allergies automatically became three times worse. Now, whenever I wake up with a sore throat, I immediately assume I have COVID-19, and it’s really annoying. One reason why spring isn’t the worst season is because of the rebirth of plants and trees. It’s nice to see bright colors for once. And, it’s nice to see the different flowers that sprout during this season.
2. Winter
I think Winter is a really good season. I like the cold weather, and I like the overall vibe of this season. I’m not entirely sure why, but people are generally much nicer and happier during Winter. It may be because of holidays, vacations, discounts in shopping, etc. It’s always nice to see people happy. On top of that, winter gives me an excuse to buy more hoodies. Then, since it’s the end of the year, there are a lot of things getting announced for the upcoming year: like movies, games, music, etc. I also like the plans that sports associations have during these times. Like the NBA games during the end of the year are way more fun to watch. They’re a lot more exciting, and teams are releasing limited edition merchandise along with stadium giveaways. And, to top it all off, we get two weeks of break during Christmas and New Year’s which is awesome. Overall, winter is so great because of all the awesome things that are going on at once – the ambience, how people behave, and because of the time we get off from school.
1. Summer
My absolute favorite season of the year is Summer. Although I prefer the colder weather, Summer is just so fun. First of all, we get two months off of school, which is a big plus. I actually don’t mind the heat too much; I know it gets pretty hot, but waking up late and knowing there’s no school for some time is really nice. I have so much free time during summer, I start exploring different things that I thought I would never do. Last summer I read three books, which surprised me because I hadn’t seriously read a book in so long. I like playing basketball at night, and the best part is that all my friends are available to play because there’s no school or homework. I like that I don’t have to go to sleep early because I won’t have to go to school the next day. Allergies are generally not as common during Summer, and (at least for me) getting sick is rare. We also sometimes go on a trip somewhere which is really fun, even if it’s not too far. And, lastly, the NBA playoffs come during summer around mid-late June. It’s so fun watching the games live, and it’s very exciting because all the teams just play so much better during the playoffs. On top of that, it’s fun to find out what team will win the championship. One thing overrated about Summer is going to the beach. I think that going to the beach is overrated and more of an inconvenience because of how dirty you get and how absurdly crowded it is. Overall, Summer is the best season because of vacation off school, the warm weather, the free time, spending time with friends and because of the sports.
I think my list is pretty accurate; maybe it would change once I graduate because there won’t be vacation off school anymore, but for now this is my definitive list of the worst to best seasons of the year. Would you change anything on this list? Let me know in the comments.
*Apparently, the opinions expressed by Oliver Martinez do not express the overall opinions of thebirdonfire.org (especially not Louisa’s).
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.
By 8th Grader Jackie Doyle Padgett
Gil, that sneaky master of mischief, challenged the Blog Class to write about Chaos. As we are here sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday fare, Jackie immediately thought of the chaos of sitting down to dinner with family. Multiple generations coming together, the extra leaf in the table, the dogs loose–what could possibly go wrong?
You’ve probably had at least one big family dinner where all of your grandparents and cousins and friends come over for the holidays, and, if so, you know it can be utter chaos. Maybe your new little cousin is running around, and you’re stuck watching them, or your uncle brought up the same embarrassing story he tells all of your friends when you bring them to dinner. There are a lot of complicated layers and minefields to family dinners: the food, the miscommunication, the animals, the kids, the occasional assault, and disease.
A lot can go wrong with food: the process of cooking it, the process of eating it; and (in Ms. Schapiro’s case) regarding what to wear while eating it.
Ms. Brady, our current French teacher, told me when she was younger her mom was cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Her family normally ate between 2 and 4 p.m. Her mom would get up early and begin cooking so that all the family would wake up to the smell of the turkey. For some reason one Thanksgiving morning, Ms. Brady didn’t smell turkey cooking. The family soon realized the oven was broken. After hours in the oven, the turkey hadn’t even started to cook. They decided to eat pizza instead.
Matteo Lam, sophomore, said he was around six years old when he held the belief that he “could swallow grapes whole.” He tried it. It didn’t end well. Matteo said, “I could’ve died; I’m okay now though.”
Zoe Groendycke, 7th grade, said one Thanksgiving her grandpa came over to dinner, and he started choking on the turkey. Zoe’s stepdad ran to the rescue and did the Heimlich Maneuver. Then her grandpa decided to leave because he thought the food tasted bad.
Ms. Schapiro tells us her mom is “basically a professional cook,” so for her big family dinners they focus on the food. Since she and her brother are grown adults and have their own homes, they’ve developed their own dining habits–some different from their mom’s. Sometimes dinner etiquette is an issue. Ms. Schapiro said, “My mom doesn’t like me eating barefoot during dinner–even though my feet are under the table.”
Whether you text or talk in person, there’s bound to be some miscommunication regarding dinner plans. Rhys provides a prime example of the chaos that can ensue when the hosts don’t get the message.
Rhys Foxx, 8th grader, told me, “My sister came to dinner without a boyfriend, and we realized they broke up. . . . We never knew.” Until dinnertime.
Originally I wasn’t going to make a section for animals, but animals kept coming up in the middle of family dinner chaos. I decided these creatures could be a main source of mischief.
Sierra James, 8th grader, said at one dinner “My dad spent like 30 minutes cooking burgers, and once he set it on the table, my dog Bo jumped on the chair and ate like half of the hamburger bun.”
Kimberly Sayers, 8th grader, said once, “During dinner my cat was scratching the table cloth, and its nail got caught. She ended up almost pulling the entire thing off–it was filled with food by the way.”
Ms. Maguire once put chicken on the counter. One of her cats, Thor, jumped up and stole an entire chicken breast.
John Webster, 8th grader, recalled A Case of Missing Turkey: “My mom left the house, after making turkey, to pick me up from soccer. She accidentally left turkey out on the counters, and when we came back it was all gone. We assume the dogs ate all of it.”
I couldn’t choose where to put the remaining stories, so here’s a grab bag of Miscellaneous family dinner mishaps. You’ll find all sorts of things in here: music, collarbone casualties, and, sadly, sickness; try not to get lost.
(Anthony) Tony Ratner, 8th grader, recalled one dinner when “We’re in this tiny 150-square-foot room, and we have this big speaker . . . . I put it full blast playing Gangnam Style. Then I showed the fools (aka his family?) in that room the best moves they’d ever seen. They took videos and everything and we had pumpkin pie. COSTCO PUMPKIN PIE. Put that in all caps, please. Then, we lived happily ever after.”
Sawyer Falzone, senior, recounted babysitting a gaggle of kids during one holiday dinner. They think they were 9 years old and their parents asked them and their cousin (around 7 years) if they could help babysit these kids. The kids were . . . 5 and under. One problem was that there were 5 kids . . . on a huge ranch. “Somehow we managed to keep everything under control.”
Ms. Zachik had a family tradition of playing flag football while her mom would make dinner. The entire family (except Mom) would go to the park with neighbors and friends. Well, during one game she pushed her dad to the ground. He ended up in the ER. “I forgot whether it was a dislocated shoulder or a broken collarbone,” she said.
Rachel De La O, junior, said, “Last year Thanksgiving around an hour after we ate, my sister went into labor.”
Finally in our last response, Charlie Cowley, 7th grader, faced a very contemporary Thanksgiving problem: “Everyone got Covid after our dinner.”
When I started this blog post idea, I didn’t expect to get some of these crazy stories, but, honestly, they’ve been so fun to read. If I missed you in my interview session, make sure to put your chaotic dinner story in the comments below.
We wanted to squeeze in one more Levi post before the year ends and December–Tamale-making season–passes. Happy New Year!
By Junior Levi Kassinove
If you haven’t had a tamale before, I’m sorry. They are more than delicious; they are divine. It is a one of a kind texture, with a flavorful inside. They can be dinner and dessert. The ingredients that go into tamales are no less than the elements of life itself, such as meat, vegetables, and cheese. If you want to try a tamale, wait until December to ask your Mexican friend if you can tag along with them to their family’s annual tamale-making party. I guarantee you they will happily accept. Or, wait until next year’s Tamale Festival in November, which is also where fellow blogger and food-lover Luke Sonderman saved a turtle. Full disclosure, tamales and turtles are COMPLETELY unrelated.
Tamales are basically pockets of masa–that can be filled with absolutely anything–wrapped in a corn husk. But, before we can get into the different types of tamales and how they are made, we need to understand what masa actually is. Masa is corn that has gone through a process called nixtamalization, which is a chemical process that involves soaking and cooking corn in an alkaline solution. In 1000 BCE, when we didn’t know what chemistry was, it is estimated that people in Mesoamerica put chunks of limestone in boiling water to make the alkaline solution. It is not known what originally drove people to put limestone in water to boil corn, but it works…Okay, I’ll say what we are all thinking. It was divine intervention.
After the masa is made, it is spread on a corn husk as seen in the picture. From there, one can put anything they want on the masa. If it’s a savory tamale, the most common things to put on it are shredded pork with a red chile sauce (my personal favorite), chicken, or cheese and peppers. If it’s sweet, some common tamales I’ve seen are mango, strawberry, and blueberry. I have never seen a chocolate tamale before. Usually, a dessert tamale is just a tamale with fruit.
After the toppings are put on, the corn husk is wrapped to create a sort of rectangular burrito. It is then steamed until the masa is solid yet soft so that it holds shape, as seen with the strawberry tamale. The texture of masa is hard to describe; you’ll have to experience it for yourself. It is light and airy, but with much more flavor than a typical tortilla. Also, masa can be added to a sort of hot chocolate along with brown sugar to make champurrado, a drink fit for the winter. In conclusion, you gotta try it.
Daylight Savings Time (DST) is a period that lasts from Spring to Autumn, which begins when clocks are turned forward one hour. This offset lasts until Autumn, which is when clocks are turned back one hour. On that day in the Spring when we turn clocks forward, one hour in the day disappears. To balance it out, we gain one hour in the Autumn. Unsurprisingly, many people are unhappy about losing an hour in the day. But who is to blame? And, what are the pros and cons of the time shift?
It was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin who sarcastically said that waking up earlier would save candle use and money (Daylight Saving Time). It was then proposed by an entomologist in 1895 who wanted to have more daylight hours to devote to collecting insects (Daylight). His name was George Hudson. Nowadays, only a minority of the world practices Daylight Savings. Asia and Africa generally don’t, along with places of high latitudes and places near the equator (Wikipedia). The real reason for Daylight Savings is to follow the daylight shift that happens naturally as the seasons change. In the Summer, daylight lasts longer. So it makes sense to add an extra hour to the day by moving the clocks forward. If you normally wake up at 8 am, and the clocks are turned forward to 9 am, then you’d have to wake up at (your old) 7 am to wake up at 8 am. Now you have an extra hour of daylight. The same logic is applied for turning the clocks backward in the Winter, since daylight is shorter during Winter. You gain an hour in a day that’s growing shorter. It’s a little confusing, but the point is that Daylight Savings aligns our days with the changing sunrise and sunset. This is why places near the equator and places on completely opposite sides of the equator don’t use Daylight Savings. The places near the equator experience a negligible difference in the sunrise and sunset times as the seasons change. While the places on opposite sides of the equator, at high latitudes, experience such a drastic change in daylight hours that changing clocks one hour wouldn’t be enough.
Daylight Savings has more downsides than upsides, according to many people. A common myth is that it was implemented for farmers so that they can have more time to water their corn or whatever farmers do. Point is, farmers hate Daylight Savings Time. They say that Daylight Savings Time disrupts cows’ readiness to be milked (Agriculture Myth). The actual reason why Daylight Savings Time (DST) was created was to conserve energy during WWI; however, multiple studies have shown that DST actually doesn’t save any energy (California Energy Commission Study). And, health experts argue that DST disrupts your circadian rhythm, which is otherwise in tune with Standard Time (uofmhealth.org). Despite this, Congress has been interested in permanently changing clocks to DST. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Senate on March 15 passed legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent starting in 2023.
I think it’s clear that Daylight Savings is an outdated concept that should be abolished. It doesn’t save energy, and it has public health risks. And, when we switch between time standards, it’s such a pain to change mechanical clocks.
By Alyna Rei
Throughout the month of March, we celebrate women: Malala, Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Anne Frank, Amelia Earhart, and more. This month is Women’s History Month! Women’s History Month is a designated month that recognizes the important contributions women have made throughout history.
Before we celebrated a full month of women, the actual celebration only spread out a week. The “Women’s History Week” became a local celebration in 1978. The Education Task Force of Sonoma County selected the week of March 8th to go with International Women’s Day. This movement eventually spread through other communities. In 1980, a group of women and historians wanted national recognition. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8th as National Women’s Week. Since then, every community has celebrated Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress passed public law and designated March as Women’s History Month. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress kept on requesting and authorizing March as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each President has issued proclamations trying and succeeding to designate the month of March to represent Women’s History Month (womenshistory.org).
The Women History Month Alliance selects the yearly theme. This year, the theme for 2022 is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” This is a tribute to the work of caregivers and frontline workers during this pandemic. This would also be a recognition to all the women of various cultures who have provided healing and hope throughout the years (nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org).
Many famous women inspire me, but I feel the most inspired by my family. My grandmother and my mother teach me new things everyday: how to water my plants, what to read, how to be grateful. Who are the women you celebrate?
By Quintus Ni
Quintus addresses Katelin’s theme of “Seasonal Holidays” with the mythological story of the Weaving Maiden and the Cowherd, celebrated in early fall in China during the Qixi Festival.
The weather turns colder and colder in the north. On such cool days, the Qixi Festival comes as expected, which arouses my deeper lovesickness for you, especially for your tranquil and calm temperament. At the moment, I wonder whether you in the distance are reading the love poem I wrote.
Time goes by, slips from our fingertips bit by bit and soon disappears in the long river of years. Our mixed feelings of happiness and sorrow are swept away by the stream of time.
Despite the change of seasons, yesterday is still fresh in my mind. The charming ardor in the air of August is full of the sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance you left. The lonely attic and the closed wooden window couldn’t lock the deep melancholy expressed in my teary eyes.
In the cool season, a rush of grief and bitterness suddenly runs through me. The wild wind blows away all the warmth and tenderness that once existed.
As the withered branches decay, the fleeting time heals everything. Still, the special feeling for you in the depth of my heart remains. Inadvertently, many memories of the past are gone without a trace. On this particular day, the Qixi Festival, I miss you again. There is the softest part in my heart. I feel anew the unfading deep love for you.
Sometimes I’m beset by negative emotions when I cannot see you. I cry into the air with open arms and ask how I can forget you. The deeper love sickness is, the greater pain is. I miss you so much that I’m overwhelmed by grief.
The Qixi Festival walks towards us at a lotus-like pace, waving her colorful sleeves. Skimming over the clear and refreshing waves, she twists her slender waist and swings a flower fan with her slightly parted red lips as if to tell me an ancient love story.
Listen to me, Qixi is a story happening three thousand years ago. Turning from sadness to happiness and joy to sorrow, I get to know the love of never betraying and understand lovers’ mutual attachment. On this day, wounds caused by the hopeless waiting of couples are cured. On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, I would also like to have you in my arms.
Our Qixi Festival comes in this way. As I stare at the crescent moon which sheds light on the windows, I become more lovesick for you. Today, let’s leave behind all the sadness and bitterness and quietly feel the love of our inner hearts. On this occasion, I recall that one of the greatest poets Bai Juyi once said, “Love and hatred for each other are poured out … for all on that night.”
As for the romantic entanglement in the world, I will simply interpret it as love, hatred, relationship and animosity. It’s known to all that love is untouchable. When in love, I only want to experience a strong sense of happiness so that wonderful memories can be recalled in our twilight years. The only thing I want to tell you is that the pleasant emotional experience you have brought me is a warm one that drives away my innermost loneliness along the long, hard journey. Therefore, my gratitude for you is the purest and the most genuine. Hatred is also untouchable, which only causes distress after the initial passion fades. The kisses you have given me are a double-edged sword which hurts when we are separate. Although situations vary from time to time, the pains caused by a love relationship are indelible, only known by people who have experienced it.
Relationships are painstakingly pursued by passionate men and women. Even with their hearts broken and bleeding, they are willing to seek after the invisible sweetness and the ineffable happiness. What you inspire me to imagine is the elegance and free spirit you show on the journey full of ups and downs. And animosity is just a sentiment vanishing in the air.
But between us, there is only mutual concern and understanding. At this moment, the appreciation of love enables us to cherish each other.
In this golden season full of chrysanthemums, I’d like to sing a melodious love song for you. My enthusiastic sound of singing will float away from my lonely roof and fly into the branch of August like a nightingale, and then fall into the Qixi pond where we can play and sing together in the water. Listen, the song arouses waves of spray, flying up high to the open sky. Surrounded by the beautiful song, we heartily release ourselves, free and unfettered.
In clouds and mists, you’re the Weaving Maid in legend, and I’m the Cowherd. Tonight, the star-studded Milky Way outshines a myriad of twinkling lights. Let us drink dew in the rosy clouds. Our union is so blessed that flowers bloom.
Each year, when the chrysanthemums are in bloom, my garden will be filled with bursts of fragrance. In the rosy clouds, accompanied by the enchanting sound of flutes, we chase after each other and dance trippingly, jointly composing a new chapter of incomparable romance and innocence!
Want to know more about the story of the Weaving Maid and the Cowherd?
https://gbtimes.com/qixi-festival-and-story-chinese-valentines-day
Seasonal Holidays Editor: Katelin Mei
By Chelsea
Almost 104 years ago, during WWI, a truce between the British and German army will forever go down in history as one of the most heartwarming things that humanity has done.
It all started on December 25th when the troops from both sides had ceased fire temporarily due to the nice weather that they rarely got. The tensions were still strong between both troops on the front lines at that point. But later that day, the watchmen of the Scots Guard on the British parapets spotted German troops putting up tannenbaum on their trench parapets. At first, they suspected an attack, but then they heard the Germans singing. Their voices wafted across the no-man’s land, “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht.” The original Austrian version of “Silent Night.” The British, sensing they were being challenged, and under the order of Lieutenant Sir Edward Hulse, also started singing their own carol. Both sides started off as a competition but soon merged into a harmony. The men began to shout Christmas greetings across the line, and after a while, the Germans made the first move. They promised the English they would not shoot if the English did not return fire. This was shouted from the other side of the trench. Some were even brave enough to walk onto the no-man’s land while waving newspapers to the other side. These actions were extremely dangerous, and not all sections of the British trench gave those unarmed German soldiers a warm greeting. But most of the sectors remained at ceasefire. The next day, when the British troops looked across the no-man’s land, to their shock, they saw the Germans walking across their parapets. And by that gesture of trust, the Germans lured more and more British out of their lair. Soon enough, the two sides buried their dead in common graves, exchanged gifts, gave haircuts, and even played Kickabouts together! In one sector; a group of highlanders challenged a Saxon regiment who burst out laughing whenever a kilt flew up during play.
This was the situation that the Field Marshal of the French had feared. Commanders dispatched senior officers to threaten disciplinary actions. The soldiers had no choice but to resume the war; some sectors had their officers from both sides salute and fire revolvers into the air, signaling the end of the ceasefire. A few sectors even carried out their ceasefire until the 30th, nearly to New Year’s Eve.
This kind of ceasefire was never to be seen again, even though many men in December of 1915 tried to do the same but ended up failing and getting court-martialed.
The spirit of that truce in 1914 was unique; it was one of the rare moments in a war where people believed that humanity was better than the hellfire of the fighting. To this day, “the truce” serves as a reminder that we can still find the brightest sparks during our darkest moments.
Seasons Editor: Katelin Mei