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I am from a quiet suburban city with tree-filled neighborhoods.

I am from typical late-night family dinners

from the clashing of washing dishes and the weary responses of “how was your day”

I am from the dragon fruit trees, its cactus-like branches hang over fences (dark pink fruit, sharp thorns

they tasted like overly-ripe berries)

I am the prickly red roses planted in front of the house,

the dead tree in the backyard

whose stump oh-so stays stubbornly rooted to the ground

I am from good deeds and morals

from Grandma Tran and Grandpa Tang

I’m from the “no-pain-no-gainers” and “hand-me-downers”

from “talk less” and “listen more”

I’m from Buddhism and Confucianism beliefs

from “respect your elders”

and “study hard, gain wisdom”

I am from Roger and Yen’s Branch,

soft white rice and jasmine-infused green tea

I am from the passing down of traditions of generations from generations

from the celebrations of firecrackers and wearing new clothing every new year

from cash-filled red envelopes for “good luck and good health”

I am from my great grandfather who sailed across the ocean-blue for freedom and an opportunity

And from his son, my grandfather, who grew up and lived through cold hatred and warfare

From his children, who escaped their homeland to find their light at the end of the dark tunnel

In the attic, there are storage boxes

overflowing with old black-white photos,

taken years, years ago but in our hearts, we relive it every day in vivid full-color

Within the years, people may fade away

but it’s their memories and their history that linger and stay.

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When someone sees a family with a mother, father, and two beautiful, angelic twin girls, what comes first to their mind? Ah, what a perfect little family! A perfect little family isn’t it, with identical twin girls who have the faces of an angel; piercing emerald green eyes with pencil-straight, glossy auburn hair. In this case, however, it is not for the Whitlock family. Their daughters, Caroline and Dakota, were always thought of as the best of friends; there was never argument or competition; only kindness, and love. But that was until they reached the age of ten, when the little things became noticeable. The two “best friends” turned into enemies overnight; name-calling quickly transitioned into violent bickering and screaming, and other times, rough shoving and painful blows that left scars mentally and physically; to them, everything was a competition.

One day, things went a little too far, leaving the sisters wanting each other dead and gone. In response, the Whitlocks decided to take a “relaxing” retreat to the woods, coming back in tears with not two, but only one twin, claiming the other one had gone missing during the trip and was never found. Well, at least someone got what they wanted, did they?
Fear Story

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The year was 3000 and everything was finally perfect. From birth to death, every moment of life has been determined by computer science and technology. When the first cry is heard from a newborn baby, he or she would be injected with a chemical that would alter its mind and actions to follow the timeline of life determined by computer science and technology. Everybody was to follow their timeline to prevent bad actions that would reflect on and influence society.

However, not all agree....

Writing About the Future: Personal Writing

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In chapter 1, the historical excerpt from Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is connected to that chapter through its theme and interpretation of innocence and influence in youth. In Chains, chapter 1 is prefaced with a historical excerpt “Youth is the seed time of good habits, as well in nations as in individuals” from the primary source Common Sense written by Thomas Paine. In this excerpt, Paine was interpreting how youth is the future of our lives as well as our country. Like in daily lives, adults and parenting figures are expected to be good role models to their children since the time of youth is the time of the seed “sprouting” or growing; the future of the youth is often influenced by their surrounding environment during their childhood. In terms of the newborn nation of the United States, Paine is explaining how a well-run nation is built on fair laws/rights and establishments in its youth in order to grow strong; the youth of our country is the future of it. The excerpt might’ve been the author's way of introducing the story; Isabel is in her youth throughout the story as well as the new nation of America. It is a way of saying “These are someone’s childhood years” as well as the question of “what habits will Isabel form during this period and how will they influence her later in life.” As a slave, she is constantly under a ridiculous amount of stress and responsibility at her age; it could either teach her valuable skills and make her become more mature or it could become a traumatic disorder for her later in adulthood. Also in relation to America, will the influence of slavery and injustice in the beginning years of the new nation be positive or completely shatter the nation’s upcoming future? As said by Thomas Paine, youth is the future of our nation as well as ourselves as individuals.

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Is scientific experimentation on animals really ethical? Every year, in the United States, approximately 26 million animals undergo the process of scientific investigations and commercial testing purposes. Some consider animal testing ethical as it has taken part in the discovery of many life-saving cures and treatments of deadly human diseases. However, animal testing is not ethical as it is cruel and inhumane to animals, proven not to be the most accurate method of testing, and the overall risks of animal testing outweigh the overall benefits.
Animal Testing Argumentative Essay

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Camp Harmony, WA

July 4, 1942                                                             Dear President Roosevelt,                     I would like to introduce myself. My name is Samuel Tadashi and I am sixteen years old, the eldest out of four siblings (two girls and one boy). I am currently being interned at Camp Harmony. My mother and father are both American-born Nissei of Japanese immigrants who came to the Hawaii Islands to work on sugar cane plantations. That makes my siblings and I the second American-born generation of the Tadashi family.

On this first Independence Day after America has entered this terrifying and tragic war, we are here to honor and cherish the precious freedom that was granted to us by our Founding Fathers. I do not mean to disrespect our Founding Fathers but it does sound ironic … doesn’t it? That this “idea of democracy” would mean concentration camps …

Letter to FDR

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“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart"
- Anne Frank

Secret Annex POV Scrapbook

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Throughout history and modern times, from the government to news and the media, propaganda can be found everywhere. It was recognizably used during times of conflict such as World War II, specifically, during the Holocaust and the Attack on Pearl Harbour (Japanese internment camps). Governments use propaganda to create a false idea about “the other” through publicized images, information, or rumors using visuals, movies, cartoons, etc; it is often used with the intention of creating emotions in favor or against a certain individual, group, or belief using both negative and positive depictions to promote a cause.
Propaganda Informative Essay

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"Into the Metaverse" Literary Analysis Essay

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"Into the Metaverse" Literary Analysis Essay

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Technology has made a significant impact on our lives in today’s society. As technology continues to develop and becomes more advanced every day, people become amazed by its never-ending list of conveniences. People use it every day and everywhere, whether it’s at home, school, or work; they may become attached and dependent on technology. Thus, individuals should not be dependent on technological systems because they lose their sense of self and disconnect themselves from their own reality.
Literary Analysis Essay