1. Lions 2024

    Memory is a force of nature that is taken into large account in our existence. It shapes our views or perceptions, our identities, and takes us deep into our past. It is remarkable attribute of the human mind, having the ability to recollect the past. We can use this tool to preserve desired moments, emotions, and experiences long after they have slipped from our minds. Even though it is quite complex, memory remains one of the most vital phenomena to understand in great detail.     At its core, memory is the brain's function to encode, store, and retrieve information. It is pretty straighforward yet many think of it as very complex with a labyring of intricacies. Our memories are not static but instead dynamic constructs, having the possibility to transmute and even be fabricated! Our memories undergo serveral changes throughout our lives as we change our belief system, biases, and emotions.     The mind is facinating for the ability to be very selecti...

Taste of Time      My childhood can be just about summed up by three distinct flavors: the "toastiness" of Frosted S’mores Pop-Tarts, the sweetness of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and the tanginess of Skittles. Though it's been ages since I've had those nostalgic treats, I still remember how I used to gobble them down. I would always break off the edges of the Pop-Tarts to get to the good stuff faster, pick out all the purple and red Skittles, and leave behind a bit of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the bowl so that the milk could be sugary.      After reflecting, I realized that what made these foods so special to me was not just because of their tastes; it was because of the experience. Without realizing it, each bite I took was a solidification of my childhood, creating a world filled with wonder and innocence inside my head, where the biggest worry was whether there were enough purple Skittles in the bag. Those moments of simple pleasure unknowingly became ingr...

When was the last time you turned on the TV and thought “I’ll just watch whatever is on right now” or even said to yourself “my favorite show is finally on?” Well, for me, those thoughts remain memories as the era of live and cable TV is coming to an end. I am someone who really enjoys dramatic TV shows with several episodes and seasons, but I started to realize how many of us moved away from live television and focused on streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and more. I thought it was crazy how I used to watch TV shows on cable and have to wait a week or two for the next new episode, until recently.  One of my favorite shows that is originally from The CW, All American, first aired live in October 2018 and has been renewed for a sixth season. I had watched seasons one through five on Netflix and did not even realize that it was actually a show from a local TV channel. I had gotten so used to streaming services that the concept of cable TV simply slippe...

           (Image Credit: Dreams | Spirizia )           “Tell us about your interest in chemistry. What area(s) of chemistry do you find most interesting, and why?” The screen on my 15.7 inch Lenovo IdeaPad had been displaying these two questions for the last two hours, and yet, the page below was still blank.            I couldn’t comprehend why the page was still left blank. I had written multiple essays like this for previous internships and summer programs I had applied. So why was it taking me so long to write the same thing?             I gradually started typing: “My interest in chemistry stemmed from a spectroscopy lesson in . . . It’s such a universal study that impacts all different fields. . . I want to be a part of the journey of developing new nanomaterials using chemical synth-” I stopped. I thought for a moment. I thought for another ...

Sure, many Americans know what a national landmark is. Most will probably be able to name a couple—Angel Island is one in the Bay Area. But only a few will be able to recognize and identify the specific reasons why a national landmark becomes a national landmark: the history and sentiments that are trapped within the walls of a landmark that our country has decided to honor as a National Historic Landmark. These landmarks also have a significant importance in the memories they create and preserve for many Americans. For example, Angel Island represents memories of immigration to the United States. And while the last group of immigrants passed through Angel Island in 1940, the memories of the place will last for generations. By preserving these places and landmarks and safeguarding them from destruction and future development, the government is playing a pivotal role in preserving the memories for generations to come.  But also, by preserving these landmarks, we are also reminded of...

  Why do things sometimes seem better in the past than when they are re-explored in the present? I can remember so many times when I was disappointed upon rediscovering something I really enjoyed when I was younger. Rewatching Barbie’s Thumbelina last week brought back so many memories. I was a big fan of the movie when I was younger and was excited to rediscover it. Even though I knew my expectations would be higher for the rewatch, since the movie came out in the early 2000s, the animation style and character designs were much rougher than the smooth animations of today’s movies. It was a bit hard for me to get used to the difference and it was hard for the movie to contend with my expectations for a good movie today. Despite the average experience, I still see the movie in a good light. Similarly, reading some of the old stories I wrote made me feel embarrassed that I ever thought the plot was good. However, after a while, I would always crave a reread, expecting to enjoy it tho...

Does Mr. Monopoly wear a monocle? Does Mickey Mouse wear suspenders? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, you have experienced the Mandela Effect—neither of those characters actually wear those items. The term originated in 2009 when researchers noticed that people commonly claimed that Nelson Mandela had died in prison in the 1980s, even though he was actually still alive. Since then, more examples of mass mis-remembrance have been occurring, whether they are misconceptions over the clothes a cartoon character wears or over a popular line delivered in a hit movie. Remember that scene in Star Wars where Darth Vader says, “Luke, I am your father”? You shouldn’t, because he never actually said that—Darth Vader actually said “No, I am your father.” Yet, most people familiar with the Star Wars franchise would insist that Vader began his statement with Luke’s name. Defined as a “popularized phenomenon in which a group of people collectively misremember facts, events, or other...