Entry #10:Déjà vu

 There's this weird, split-second moment most of us have experienced, the sensation that you've already lived the moment before. You walk into a room, someone says something ordinary, and suddenly your brain whispers, Wait... this already happened. That flicker or familiarity is a phenomenon called Déjà vu. Most people can relate, but only a few can explain. 

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When I was younger, I remember walking through my elementary school on my way back from the bathroom, and all of a sudden, I had that strange feeling wash over me. I had to stop for a moment and figure out what just happened. It felt like I was a fake person reliving my life again. After researching, the Cleveland Clinic revealed that 97% of people have had the same feelings of a moment already happening at least once in their lifetime. It was also revealed that déjà vu actually means already seen in French. Déjà vu is basically a mind/memory game that happens because the temporal and hippocampus parts of your brain miscommunicate. It makes you feel like you've been in that scenario before, but you actually haven't. 

What makes Déjà vu stand out is how universal it is. Even though it's a quick moment, it shows how active and complex our minds really are. Rather than just a strange feeling, it serves as a small reminder of the intricate processes behind memory and perception. 

Entry #9: Looks Can Be Deceiving

 

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While searching the web, this cartoon immediately caught my eye. It exposes something most people don't usually think about, which is the difference between what regulators are approving versus what's really happening behind the scenes. The picture shows a filthy food factory covered with rats, rotten food, and leakage spills. Despite the disgustingness, the FDA still smiles and says, "Keep up the good work." 

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What makes this cartoon worth sharing is that it shows a greater perspective on big organizations. We are taught to trust big companies with important names and look no further into it since they "know what they're doing." It points out how some people don't do their jobs as they should, and just because people seem fed and happy, they let other things pass their attention. It raises questions about whether the food is really safe. It's a reminder that asking questions and digging deeper into things that might seem safe is ok. This cartoon helps us stay aware and not automatically trust everything we're told.

Although this cartoon might look like a funny drawing, it holds a deeper meaning about the world we live in. It encourages us to look closely into the systems we rely on and make sure they're working the way they should.    

Entry #8: Time and its effect on your future- What quadrant do you spend most of your time in?

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Welcome back to another blog post! Today I wanted to tie in something I learned from my career class, the four quadrants. The idea is simple: everyday tasks fall into one of the four boxes: important and urgent, important but not urgent, not important but urgent, and not important and not urgent. What surprised me was realizing the impact of the simple acts/tasks I did each day and their effect on my future. The habits that feel small or automatic are actually the ones deciding which quadrant we spend most of our time in; that choice ends up shaping our long-term success without us even realizing it. 

To break it down further, quadrant 1 is the crisis zone. This is where severely urgent tasks take place, such as finals, major deadlines, or last-minute studying. Quadrant 2 is where real growth happens. This includes planning ahead, sticking to a routine, staying organized, and doing things that matter for your future. Quadrant 3 is where things feel urgent but aren't actually important. This can be a notification from friends on Snapchat, reels from friends on Instagram, or even spending 30 minutes making your notes for math look pretty. Quadrant 4 is the unproductive comfort zone. This is where doom-scrolling on TikTok, binge-watching, or playing video games happens. Going through the tasks I did daily and placing them into quadrants, I realized how much time I spent in quadrant 4. Unfortunately, we've all been in a place where we get stuck on social media and lose track of time. Seeing habits that take place daily helps make better routines.

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Learning about the four quadrants was important to become more aware of daily habits and tasks. It gives people a clearer view of how time shapes their future. It shows that routines need intention and habits that get reinforced. When individuals understand which quadrant they're living in, they can change their day-to-day choices and move closer to a future they're trying to build. 

Entry #7:What We Don't See on Our Plates

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 Welcome back to another blog post! After watching the film Fresh, I see the food on my plate in a completely different way. Before, I never paid much attention to where my meals come from or what goes into producing them. The film exposes the hidden side of our food system, which includes the chemicals, industrial farms, and the people working behind the scenes. It reveals how little most of us know about where our food comes from and the work that goes into producing it. 

One moment that stood out to me was Russ Kremer reflecting on his past practices. In the movie, he says, "Raising pigs like that was the worst mistake I ever made." After facing the real consequences of using antibiotics and industrial methods, Kremer went cold turkey on them and changed his approach completely. The film then contrasts his story with examples of farmers who adopted healthier, sustainable practices. At the end of the movie, it shows how healthier foods have been introduced to grocery stores directly from farms. It showed how food can be produced responsibly and successfully.

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This movie left a lasting impact on me, showing that it's important to know where our food comes from, how it's being produced, and how we can better the cause. This film encouraged awareness and responsibility in those who choose to neglect the truth. Becoming mindful of the food we eat and valuing organic farming can make a difference toward a healthier food system. 

Entry #6: The Onion

 The Onion 

Welcome everyone! Today I wanted to dive into the social penetration theory! I learned about this in my communication class, and it stuck with me, so I wanted to share it! This theory explains how relationships grow through gradual, structured self-disclosure. The theory compares personal depth to the layers of an onion. The outer layer represents basic information about ourselves, while the inner layers hold our values, beliefs, fears, and core identity. 

Most relationships begin near the first layer to peel back. We usually start with low-risk, predictable topics. This can be small talk about classes, hobbies, weather, or entertainment. This early stage matters because it lets both people figure out whether they feel comfortable moving deeper. It helps answer basic questions like: Is this person respectful? Do they listen? Can I trust them enough to share more personal parts of myself?

As the relationship strengthens, communication becomes more personal and expands its range of topics. This gradual move from basic facts to more meaningful experiences is what creates the sense of closeness we associate with genuine friendships or romantic relationships. One of the key ideas in this theory is that disclosure needs to be reciprocal. If one person reveals something personal and the other doesn’t respond with a similar level of openness, the relationship can feel unbalanced or even unsafe. It emphasizes that comfort and trust develop through consistent positive interactions, not through rushing into emotional vulnerability.

Understanding Social Penetration Theory gives us a clearer picture of how communication naturally unfolds. It shows that meaningful relationships develop through steady, mutual openness rather than one intense moment. When we recognize that connection grows gradually, we become more patient with ourselves and with others as we move through each layer. In the end, the theory emphasizes the simple idea that real closeness takes time, but the effort we put into building it is what makes those relationships truly worthwhile.

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Entry #5: Beauty Mayhem

 Welcome everyone! The topic of today is the ad Beauty Blogger from Allstate Mayhem. The commercial uses humor and chaos to show how small, absent-minded moments can lead to big problems. In the ad, Mayhem plays a beauty influencer role who places her hot straightener on a towel, causing a fire in her home. The ad takes a familiar scene from a hair tutorial and twists it into a funny warning about everyday risks. By mixing comedy with disaster, the commercial grabs attention while reminding viewers that accidents can happen to anyone, especially in a world obsessed with multitasking and online content.

Beyond promoting insurance, the ad’s deeper purpose is to make viewers think about responsibility and awareness in daily life. The humor works because it’s relatable. Most of us have acted carelessly and gotten into something deeper than we expected to. As the fire starts, he mentions that having the wrong insurance would leave a mark. This encourages viewers to think about buying insurance before something goes wrong and they end up in a pile of debt. The ad targets younger adults familiar with social media and influencer culture, showing that even trendy, confident people can face unexpected damage if they’re not protected.

Overall, the commercial sticks out because it connects today’s online lifestyle with a simple message: you never know when something can go wrong. It makes insurance feel more real and modern instead of something dull or serious. By mixing internet humor, a little irony, and total chaos, Allstate shows that mayhem can happen to anyone; having insurance is just common sense.

Entry #4: Tea talk

Tea

            

Welcome everyone! Today, I would like to share my experience and the benefits of tea! It might seem like a small thing, but it’s something that connects people all over the world. Whether it’s a traditional tea ceremony or a quiet moment at home, tea brings comfort and mindfulness. It’s a simple habit that has a big impact on both body and mind. Tea has been enjoyed for centuries, not just for its taste but also for its many benefits. Different types of tea can have different effects on the body. Green tea, for example, is known to boost focus and provide antioxidants, while chamomile can relax your nerves and help you sleep. Even the act of making tea, like waiting for the water to boil and smelling the steam rise, can feel peaceful and grounding.

For me, tea has become part of my daily routine. I usually drink it in the morning before starting my day or at night when I’m winding down. I like how it makes me feel relaxed. When I’m stressed, making tea reminds me to slow down and take a breath. My favorite kind is hibiscus tea because it has a tart but refreshing taste. My mom grows a hibiscus tree, so she dries the flower and we make it at home. It definitely has a better flavor when it's fresh. I also enjoy peppermint tea after meals because it helps with digestion, as well as chamomile to help relax me when I'm overwhelmed or feeling sick.

What I enjoy most about tea is how it gives me a quiet moment to slow down. No matter how busy things get, that short break with a cup of tea helps me reset. It’s a small thing, but it always makes my day a little better.