Writ 340 Blog

Book 2:   Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core  For the second book, I chose Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness by Dr. Rick Hanson. This book specifically appealed to me because one of the factors I truly value in someone (including myself) is having a strong core that cannot be easily influenced by others and a shifting society. To me, resilience is highly indicative of one’s character - it is not merely the capacity to rebound from adversity but also the ability to fortify oneself proactively against future challenges. Resilience may be widely associated with “strength,” and while that may be partly true, I think that true resilience also requires an element of social awareness, humility, and grit. I really liked the way that Hanson structures the book around what he calls the "Four Pillars of Well-Being": Recognizing, Resourcing, Regulating, and Relating. Each pillar represents a key area of personal development essential for b...

Random Post #1 Trader Joe's Appreciation Post As USC students, I’m sure that our day-to-day nutrients are fueled by our favorite grocery store; Trader Joe’s. This is a place where you can fill your cart without sinking your budget, and every aisle feels like a plank walk of delicious surprises and difficult decisions. At TJ’s, the shelves are filled with items named by whimsical foodie poets – who know exactly what they are doing – because my 3 item trip usually ends up with a whole bag of groceries. One of the most riveting aspects of TJ’s is probably the ever-rotating cast of eclectic and eccentric products that are so hard to walk past. The seasonal products and decor are enough to drag me in and reach for the heart-shaped ravioli and pumpkin-flavored pasta sauce. Soon enough, that one item I randomly throw in my cart is my next obsession.  As a graduating senior, I would like to take a moment to recognize and appreciate all of the budget-friendly meals that fueled me throughout...

  Book 1: Post #2 American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures is truly a rich tapestry of voices and stories of immigrants and children of immigrants navigating life in the United States. A central theme that I noticed is the search for identity among the contributors, many of whom grapple with the challenges of the lingering feeling of “otherness.” Ferrera crafted a culmination of stories that contribute to the ongoing conversation about what it means to be American but also acts as a beacon for those who may feel isolated in their bicultural experiences. While I have read various novels and articles about the lives of immigrants, this book stands out for its candid and often vulnerable explorations of the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and nationality. One of the most striking aspects of this collection of stories was perhaps how the “personal” becomes political as it calls for greater empathy and understand...

Ranking the World’s Strangest Laws By Eari Nakano  As a pre-law student, everyone seems to expect a concrete reason as to why I want to pursue this path and why I like the law. Now, I’m sure that the cliche yet righteous answer of upholding social justice and whatnot has been said before. While I believe all of that – and truly, I do –I believe that there are other elements of the law that appeal to my innate nature of judging things.  I guess I like the law because it is slightly comical in the sense that it is a nonconsensual contract between the people and their governing bodies. I say “nonconsensual” because no one is born and immediately signs a document agreeing to never run around a mall naked without dire consequences. The law becomes instilled in us like values - not necessarily because we agree with each of them, but because it is “the right thing to do.” In short, the law is vital to a well-functioning society. Consequently, I don’t like the law because quite frank...

  American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures The first time I ever laid eyes on America Ferrera was through my mother’s TV screen when I was in primary school. We had a fun routine of watching tv drama series while folding laundry – her show of choice that week was Ugly Betty . Growing up as a “hybrid” of two different cultures and identities, seeing similar individuals like Ferrera succeeding in her career, even as a young girl, was such a treat to me.  American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures is a collection of essays and stories that were both sobering and inspiring to read; they were all testaments of people like me navigating their life with split identities. As Lin-Manuel Miranda - the genius behind one of my favorite soundtracks Hamilton - states in his essay, there is both a price and reward of success that come with living in America. Much like Ferrera illustrated in her essay, it is an interesting dynamic to go to school, speak English all...