Ali Alban - 340

  Love Across Time Zones I have had two loves in my life. First, there’s L ogan A ndrews. I have known L ogan A ndrews for most of my life and ever since I could remember he was a ray of sunshine. He is a very popular guy, but not in a cocky way. When you are around him you feel like you are in some sort of “La La Land”, which I like to call it at least. He always makes me feel like a never-ending summer, where the skies are blue, the ocean is warm, and everything moves at a pace that lets you breathe and take it all in. With him, I have it all. Each day I can do whatever I want, yet there is still time to sit back and relax. He is golden, he is free, and he is full of promise. L ogan A ndrews has the kind of love that just feels like home to me.  But, then I met N athan Y oung. Everyone knows N athan Y oung . He was this new guy who appeared into my life at a time when I was young, curious, and ambitious. He was intoxicating and impossible to ignore. He was also sharp-edged...

  American Like Me by America Ferrera I recently read American Like Me, which is a collection of personal essays curated and edited by America Ferrera (a renowned actress and USC Alumni!). This book focuses on the personal stories of various actors, activists, athletes, and writers, regarding the experiences of growing up with multicultural identities. Additionally, themes of identity, cultural duality, belonging, resilience, generational differences, and the challenges of navigating society, are highlighted in these stories. I chose this book because I was interested in learning more about the struggle (that even people who are deemed “successful” and “famous” face) regarding culture and identity in America. I was drawn to this book because when reading the description, I felt that it resonated with me on a personal level. I understand what it is like to grow up in a household where my own identity feels questionable. I often reflect on my Latina background and feel like my upbri...

The Art of Organized Chaos How to Stay (Somewhat) Sane When Everything Feels Like Too Much Life is a constant balancing act. Deadlines pile up, social obligations loom, and we are still expected to function. I’ve spent years juggling a million things on my plate – sometimes with tears and breakdowns – but I have made it through. Welcome to my world of organized chaos. So, how do I know about managing chaos? For one, I grew up with it. My mother raised three kids, each three years apart, attending different schools. Yet, she managed to get us there on time, with custom-packed lunches and pressed uniforms. I thank my mother for the chaos-managing genes. As I have grown, genes were not enough. Balancing school, work, relationships, and health was exhausting. If you constantly feel like you're one step away from crashing out, don’t worry—you’re not alone. And the good news? There’s a method to managing the madness. Here’s what we’ll cover: Why being busy doesn’t mean being productive S...

American Like Me by America Ferrera I have chosen American Like Me by America Ferrera because I am interested in reading about the personal narratives that explore identity, culture, and the immigrant experience in America from a list of very influential and famous people. This book is a collection of essays from various individuals, including actors, activists, athletes, and writers, who share their experiences of growing up with multicultural identities. I was drawn to this book because when reading the description, I found details of experiences that I resonate with. I understand what it is like to grow up in a household where my own identity is questionable. I often question my Latina background as I often feel my upbringing does not align. Not only am I a guerita , (which means “white girl”), but I grew up going to a predominately Jewish private school, do not speak that well of Spanish, and my parents were born here. Reading the testimonies of these individuals who also share di...