4/1/21
Being in the moment is something that everyone should do. But what does that mean really? To me, it means not getting distracted by everything in your life, more specifically things that have already happened that you cannot control. If I’m being honest, I struggle with this. A lot. I tend to dwell on my past mistakes or on things that just annoy me. I’m pretty sure that if I wrote about all of those things, this blog would be about 10x longer and nobody wants that.
Instead, I want to talk about little things that helped me stay mindful and in the moment. Sometimes these are things or activities that distract me from the real world for a few fleeting moments. Other times, these are things that I find to be really pretty and help me be more appreciative of the moment that I am in. The Sky Have you ever just taken a minute to look at the sky? Any time of the day - just look at it. Take it in. Enjoy it. I try to do this at least once a day. My favorite time of the day is when the sun sets. My window gives me a perfect view of it every day. This is something that helps me stay in the moment because the sunset is constantly changing. Sometimes I’ll take a picture of it to look at later, but other times I just try to enjoy it at the moment. Rainbows How could anyone look at a rainbow and not be instantly happier? On sunny days my room is usually covered in rainbows created by the light reflecting onto the CDs I used to decorate my walls. This only happens for a short while just like the sunsets. I appreciate them much more because they are only there for a little while and it doesn’t happen every day. Driving My Car One of my very favorite things in the world is the time I spend in my car by myself. My car’s name is Blu Lightning, Blu for short, and he is very important to me. The winter is very harsh on Blu, but the summer, oh I love the summer. I will just drive to drive, ya know? I roll down the windows and I blare my favorite songs and sing along as loud as I can. It’s hard to focus on the mistakes of the past when you’re so focused on the bliss of being alone. (I’m an introvert, can you tell?) A Clean Room I find that I focus best when my room is clean. When I’m done with homework and I have nothing else to do, sometimes I find myself sitting at my desk and just looking around my room. I like to sit back and take in how pretty my room is (not to brag or anything). I decorated my room a lot over the past year thanks to inspiration from TikTok and I can safely say that the vibes are immaculate. Music I know that I already talked briefly about music, but I’m gonna talk about it some more because music is everything. When I tell you that I listen to music 24-7, it’s still an understatement. I know that I am not alone in saying that I have many playlists crafted to fit my every mood. Having these playlists help me to focus on whatever I am feeling at that moment. Music also helps distract me from whatever is happening around me. When I listen to music, I may be thinking about what type of movie scene pairs best with the song or what kind of dance could be choreographed to it. Unfortunately, we can’t change the things that have already happened in life. However, we can try to be mindful of the small things in life like sunsets and a clean room. I recommend finding things like this that make you happy and distract you from the negativity in life. My Time in
Blue Jay Journal TV, So Far! 12/28/20 Blue Jay Journal TV is something that I have been interested in since I was in middle school. Toward the start of middle school, my mom started watching The Friday Show each week, and while I didn’t watch it as often as her, it immediately piqued my interest. I had always enjoyed making videos with my friends, and I decided that I would be a part of BJJTV when I was a sophomore.
I took Introduction to Mass Media my freshman year in hopes that it would be helpful in my acceptance to BJJTV. However, it not only helped me get in, but it helped me realize that being behind a camera is something that I’m interested in doing beyond high school. I applied to BJJTV and got accepted at the end of my freshman year. Within the first few months of the class, I met some amazing people and I got the opportunity to film interviews and b-roll by myself. At first, it made me very nervous, but looking back I realize it’s something that I really enjoyed. As the year went on I had many great experiences, so when the time came to reapply, I did so without hesitation. I really loved my first year and I was excited to see what other projects I would be doing before the year was over, but of course, the year didn’t continue as planned. COVID-19 kind of ruined the rest of that school year for everyone, but being away from school made me realize how much I missed BJJTV and how excited I was for the following year. I even purchased a computer with editing software like the ones we have at school so I could practice editing over the summer and make some fun videos because I missed it so much. I am really happy to be back in school because I am back with this amazing group of people and I get to learn even more about journalism and filming. I am also happy that I am not a newbie anymore and I get to be the person to show the new people the ropes! Since we have been back to school, I have made two stories and I can honestly say that I am super proud of what I have been able to accomplish. I think middle school me would be proud of how far I have come. -Bye :) TikTok has basically taken over our lives, and of course, it gave me the inspiration for a new activity that I started over summer break. I saw a Tiktok that showed something called a “film journal.” The video didn’t give much of an explanation of its contents, however, it gave me the inspiration to start my own journal, one where I can write whatever I want about any film.
I really like the idea of learning more about films and writing down my opinions on them. I also figure that doing this could allow me to explore new genres in film. To start off, I created a list of movies to watch. I started filling up the first pages of my journal with popular movies I had heard of or movies I had always wanted to watch. I also asked a few of my friends about their favorite movies that could help me broaden my list. I came up with about 50 films to watch, so my work was cut out for me. The first movie I watched was “The Half of It.” I thought this would be a great way to start because I had been anticipating its release on Netflix and it just so happened to come out the day I started the journal. For this movie, I focused more on talking about each of the characters and my opinions of them along with how I felt about the plot. At first, I tried to make each page have the same structure by talking about the plot, then the characters, followed by my opinions. Later I decided it was better to focus on whatever I believed was most important to the film or what stood out to me. For example, in “Fantastic Mr. Fox” I talked about the interesting dialogue and the beautiful colors and stop-motion work in the film. In films like “The Tree of Life,” I focused on the different examples of symbolism, and my favorite scenes. I started this journal in hopes that I would learn more about films. There wasn’t anything specific that I was trying to learn about, but one thing I’ve started to focus on is how they are all uniquely shot. I enjoy it when you can tell that the director has added their own style to a film. For instance, the first Hunger Games movie is very different from the last three because they were directed by two different people. The first movie shows sharp jump cuts throughout the film, in the last three, the shots are longer and not as jumpy, but both styles are very beautiful and deserve praise. Another reason I started this journal is because I am interested in working in the film industry. I am hoping that by watching these films and learning more about the production of them, it will help me to make a better decision about my future and what I might want to do when I am older. I think this activity has been helpful to me. Though I still have many more to watch, I have already learned so much. It’s kept me busy and it’s opened my eyes to how unique every film actually is. I look forward to continuing my journal and seeing where this takes me. Bye for now, Natalie :) How I Keep Calm
in Quarantine 5/1/20 From what I’ve seen over the past few weeks, everyone that I know is handling quarantine differently. It’s important that we do what makes us feel comfortable and calm in this unpredictable situation. During this time, I’ve been doing a few things that I’ve found have been very helpful:
Dancing I haven’t been to a regular dance class in quite some time, so I’ve been taking some online dance classes to help me maintain my flexibility and strength. It sounds odd, but I’ve also found myself just dancing around my room to whatever song I’m listening to. This is something I highly recommend to everyone. Play your favorite song and just dance however you want to. It is something that has repeatedly lifted my spirits while in quarantine, and I find that it will release whatever stress I’m feeling at that exact moment. Painting Before COVID-19, I would paint every few weeks, but now, I’ve been painting almost every day. I have found that it is a very relaxing activity. I usually paint a few hours a day and watch TV or listen to music while I’m doing it. I have never considered myself a great painter, but I think I have been improving over the past month. Listening to Music I try to listen to music as much as possible. Even before quarantine, I would listen to it when I walked in the hallways in school, when I went to the store, and almost all of the time at home. Listening to music distracts me from the real world. More recently, I have found myself listening to music and doing nothing else. Just closing my eyes and enjoying what I’m hearing. TikTok I think a lot of my peers have been using TikTok during this time. It is something that I’ve been using since last year around this time, but now it has become a major part of my daily routine. I finish homework; I look at TikTok for half an hour. Before I go to bed, I go through TikTok. I use it pretty often, whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, I don’t know, but it has been helpful in calming me down during this stressful time. It gives me a chance to look at entertaining and funny content that I haven’t seen on other apps before. FaceTime Communication is key while we are isolated in our own homes. Staying in contact with my friends has kept me sane. My friends and I sometimes call each other to talk about something specific, but other times it’s just nice to talk about whatever comes to mind. On weekends, I sometimes end up staying up late because I’m talking with my friends. Although not everyone may want to participate in these activities, they are what have kept me going during this time. I really recommend that anyone who is bored or who is feeling overwhelmed, try one or two of these. See if it calms you down. Stay Safe, Natalie Oesterly
Natalie - In Five Words!11/4/19
Describing oneself can be somewhat difficult, especially when you have to condense it into five words. After thinking about it, I have come to the conclusion that funny, introverted, passionate, empathetic, and perfectionist (kind of) best describe me.
When I started to write this post, I asked my friends to describe me. Every person I asked described me as funny, so I guess that means I am? The truth is that everyone has some sort of sense of humor. I think my sense of humor is more of a sarcastic one. I usually just make a few sarcastic comments in a conversation or make a joke. I wouldn’t say that I joke constantly. When I put my mind to something, I’m usually pretty passionate about it. When I have a specific opinion about something, I am very passionate about it and want to stand by it, even when it is not the same as my friends’ opinions. That can vary from something as simple as what my friend and I want to do when we hang out, to my political beliefs. I’m also pretty passionate about dance. I have been dancing for a long time, and although I’m not super competitive, I try to make it one of my main focuses and put as much effort into it as possible. Being with friends is fun, but being alone is also nice, too. That’s why I consider myself a fairly introverted person. When I go somewhere with my friends, I have a great time, but if I don’t have a small part of my day to myself, then I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I need to de-stress at home by myself. Some people could probably go an entire weekend of being with friends and family, basically being social for two whole days. I would rather be with my friends for a couple of hours on Saturday then take the rest of Saturday and Sunday to relax. Being social just takes more energy out of me than it would for someone who is considered an extrovert. Caring for other people is a big part of who I am. Being empathetic means you may not have had the same experience as that person, but you put yourself in their shoes and see how it can affect them -- and then see how you can support them. I try to do this with my family and friends because everyone should feel that they have someone to support them. I may not relate to their situation, but knowing that there is someone they can talk to about their problems seems important. I try to do this whenever I can. I think I could be considered a perfectionist. For example, it took me a couple of days to come up with the perfect words to describe me. That includes asking my mom and three of my friends how they would describe me. My mom thinks I am a perfectionist. She claims I didn’t walk or write my name until I could do it perfectly, however, last time I looked at the papers my mom saved from when I was in kindergarten I spelled my name “Nataiel,” so I don’t know about that. However, when it comes to school and simple things like picking out clothes, I’d say I’m definitely a perfectionist. I think these describe me pretty well. Although I think I could be described with a few more words, I think this sums it up. See ya later! -Nataiel (get it?) Natalie’s Disney Trip Tips
10/4/19 A Disney Vacation can be difficult to plan and to execute, but after a few trips, you tend to pick up on the dos and don’ts of Disney. Here are some tips for anyone planning to go to Disney World:
Check the ride wait times as you schedule your fast passes. You'd be surprised which rides are popular and which ones aren’t. Rides like Peter Pan’s Flight don’t seem like they would have a long line, but it’s actually one of the longer wait times in the Magic Kingdom. Looking ahead of time will help you to know which rides’ lines to avoid. Personally, I always schedule a fast pass for Peter Pan’s Flight and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Between the scheduled times, I can ride other nearby rides that typically have a smaller wait time. Don’t get the meal plan. It seems like a good idea, but in reality, it's not. Imagine this: you’ve been waiting for 50 minutes in line for a ride and the amount of time you’re given to eat lunch is coming to an end. Do you get out of line? Do you not eat? Without the meal plan, you may be spending more money, but you don’t have to stick to a specific schedule when eating. This is also helpful because you are already on a schedule that you’ve created with your fast passes. Get to the park early. The earlier you get to the park, the more time you have. Plus, if you get in line for a ride like Test Track at park opening, then you can avoid scheduling a fast pass for it and use it on something else like Frozen or Soarin'. The parks are less crowded in the mornings, so you can ride a lot more rides in a shorter amount of time. Go to Disney Springs. Personally, I think the best way to do this is to book a later flight on your last day of the trip and use that morning to go to Disney Springs. This way you know when you’re there, you aren’t missing out on time at the parks. Disney Springs is a great place to go shopping, if you missed out on shopping at the parks. It also has more modern stores and places to eat that aren’t available in the parks. Plus, Disney Springs isn’t considered to be a park, which means admission is free. Find hotels that fit your needs. Some hotels are closer to one park than another. If you are wanting to spend more time in one park than another, you may want to pick the hotel that is within your budget and close to that park. Use the single rider line. Maybe you won’t get that picture with your family, but if you want to ride Expedition Everest more than once, it is the way to go. Sitting next to one stranger is way better than waiting in that long line surrounded by strangers that have no sense of personal space and don’t care that their five-year-old is way too close to you. Don’t stay in an expensive hotel. You most likely won’t spend that much time at the hotel. The only things I ever do at the hotel is eat breakfast, sleep, and maybe go swimming. If you spend money on a big room and a better pool, it may not be worth it. You can swim at home, after all! Instead, try going to the parks because that’s an experience you may not get to have ever again, while you can swim at your aunt's pool (or the public one) at anytime during the summer. Plan outfits ahead of time. Before you leave for your trip, do yourself a favor and try on outfits and see if you feel comfortable in them. Also, the weather at the parks may not be what you are used to, so you may need to adjust. It can be surprisingly cool in Florida during the winter and unbearably hot in the summer. It can also rain a lot, so have a poncho and umbrella ready. Don’t go to the parks during a holiday or major event if you aren’t really interested. Disney goes all out during every holiday and event. If you don’t want to wait in long lines behind a loud group of cheerleaders, like you may have to during an event like the National Cheerleader Competition, check the events section of their website. See what will be happening near the time you want to go. These events can also be really fun, though. It all depends on what you are interested in. If you are a fan of the holidays, I highly recommend going for Christmas or Halloween. Check character meet and greet times. If you are interested in taking pictures with the characters, expect long lines. If you check the Disney app that lists the meet and greet times, it can help you to know what characters have the shortest times and to know if it fits into your busy schedule. Don’t get in people’s way. I think this is pretty self-explanatory. If you go to the Epcot right at rope drop and you decide to slowly walk to the World Showcase, you will block all of the families who are running to Test Track. If you aren’t planning on getting to a park early to ride a ride, then try to wait a little bit so that you don’t get in the way. Bring things you don’t expect to need. If you are staying on the Disney property, chances are you won’t have access to normal things you find at a drug store. You will only have what is available at the gift shops or at guest services. You are allowed a small bag in the parks and on the rides, so you can bring everything you think you will need and more. Be prepared for anything you might need. I recommend ponchos and umbrellas, not only for the rain, but for rides like Splash Mountain where you get really wet. Hopefully, this has been helpful and encourages you to start planning a Disney adventure in the near future! -Natalie O Fingers Crossed for 2019-2020
8/8/19 Going into sophomore year doesn’t seem so scary once you’ve made it through that first year of high school. The start of the new year brings hopes and fears, but unlike last year, I have a better idea of what to expect.
This year I hope to be more open to meeting new people. I tend to stick with the same people in my friend group and isolate myself from those outside of it. I want to learn to be more comfortable around new people and also people that I know, but haven’t taken the chance to really talk to yet. Now that I am in Blue Jay Journal TV I hope I will be able to get to know everyone on our staff and make new connections this way, too. One of my fears for this year is being able to keep up with everything I’m involved in, and school in general. There is a lot of pressure to succeed in school from teachers, family, coaches, and myself. I don’t mean that I have to have a perfect score on every assignment, but I want to do quality work that I am proud of. Another fear is that I won’t be able to give both dance and school their needed attention. Having to learn new information at school everyday and doing assignments for multiple classes can be stressful and sometimes they pile up. Dance can be just as demanding with dances to learn and improve upon, along with the pressure to become better and better throughout the year.
Our dance team, the Jaywalkers, has been awarded highest combined GPA in our division at our state competition for the past few years and the pressure to maintain that is high. It is a team effort and if one of us does poorly it could bring it down. I work hard at both dance and school to maintain a good image in my coach and teachers’ eyes. Another one of my hopes is that I will step out of my comfort zone more this year. Last year I began the process of being more open by joining the dance team and clubs like Interact and Student Council. I took it a step further by going on a school trip to a few countries in Europe over this past summer. This was something I wouldn’t have done a few years ago. I would have been too afraid of meeting new people and being vulnerable in new situations. While I have gotten better at trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone, I am hopeful that this school year I become even stronger at this!
I am very excited to start another school year, especially now that I have a better clue as to how high school works. I hope I continue to be more outgoing and that this school year will be even better than the last! -Natalie I Would Be Lost
Without Music 6/29/19 Some of the things I care about most are Disney, movies, dancing, friends, and family. One thing that all of these have in common is music. Without music, I would feel lost. As a dancer, I need the music to help tell the story of the dance. The words and the sound of the music help translate the message of the dance itself. The music helps excite our audience and allow them to feel the same emotion as the dancer. In Disney, the music plays an important role in both the movies and the theme parks. When watching a Disney movie, some of the most memorable parts are the scores. One example is in the movie “Up.” In one of the first scenes, it shows the main characters go through challenges in their lives. With the music, you can experience the characters' sadness and happiness and relate it to your own life. The music of Disney reminds me of happy times I spent at Disney World, as well as sad times like when I have lost family members. In any movie or tv show, music is important. Music adds more depth to an already exciting scene and is what holds my interest when I am watching. In the Netflix series “The Umbrella Academy,” one of the scenes is set in a cutely decorated hotel room and the song “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows” plays. In the scene two of the characters are in a fistfight giving the scene a sense of irony, making it more interesting. Music, in general, can make us feel things that aren’t expected. When I hear the song “ilomilo” by Billie Eilish, I think of my grandpa who passed away this year and the fun times I had with him. The lyrics of the song really embrace the fear of losing someone and how it feels when they are gone. Other songs are just enjoyable because of the sound and lightheartedness of them, like “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” by ELO and “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus’s Garden” by The Beatles. These songs are important to me because their upbeat tempo reminds me of fun times I have had on vacation or relaxing days spent in the pool. These are the moments that make me incredibly happy and I am reminded of them when I listen to these songs. Music indeed has a connection to all the things that make my life complete. Without it, I think life would be dull to say the least! |
Junior.
Dancer. Probably a little too obsessed with Billie Eilish. Buzzfeed Unsolved enthusiast. #Shaniac |