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A Lookback on 2024

Happy 2025! I thought I’d do a small lookback as a way to sum up my 2024 and start the new year. I hope you enjoy!

January

We started the year with a New Year’s dinner at Verandah, an incredible restaurant. While January was pretty calm, there were some memorable moments- such as meeting one of my middle school friends, going to see our school’s winter play, and getting a new vinyl!

february

The main event of February was my dance school’s Kinkinni (annual recital!) I participated in two dances and gained lots of experiences and memories from each. Additionally this month, I went to watch an Odissi performance and unexpectedly ran into a friend from middle school! Overall, it was an incredibly fun month.

march

March was an incredible month! To begin with, we went to the Rodeo, a Texan classic, where I won a big plush as well as a few smaller ones. Later that month, we went to a farmer’s market, as part of a school project, though I enjoyed the trip a lot. After that, I got to see Beetlejuice: The Musical, which was super fun and entertaining. Last, but certainly not least, we went to Muscat, Oman. It was such an breath-taking experience, as we explored the desert, the ocean, and everything in between.

april

To begin the month, we went to Dallas to see an arangetram, a performance that shows the dancer’s talent and knowledge. This month was also the month of the eclipse, which was very cool! Our school also gave us a day off, so I got to go to a park, which led to a lot of relaxation. Finally, the best part of April was getting to go to a concert- Miku Expo! I had an amazing time there and truly loved the atmosphere.

may

In May, I got to visit Illinois! In Chicago, I toured two colleges- Northwestern and University of Chicago. Additionally, me and my dance group performed once again for our school’s annual recital. We also performed at the temple with an item we learned in a workshop which was another great experience! Finally, I got to see another musical- Newsies.

June

June started with another musical- Hairspray! This was followed by a Mohiniattam recital- one of the few times I’ve performed the dance form. I also got to perform with a live orchestra! After this, I was able to meet a friend from middle school and then I traveled to India for the summer. In India, I watched my aunt’s arangetram which was amazing to watch!

july

In India, I was able to watch a lot of dance performances- these were helpful to see how I can improve my dance, as well as understand more about stage presence and lighting, all which’ll definitely help me in my future. Additionally, we took a small trip to Pondicherry which was a great way to relax.

august

August marked the beginning of my school! I started sophomore year, or 10th grade, this year and faced a new set of teachers and a lot more work! It’s definitely a new experience, but I’m learning a lot and having a good time.

september

September started off with a dance performance for an item we learned within a week! It was incredibly fun to learn and perform, and overall, I think it was a great experience. After that, to celebrate my 15th birthday, I got tickets to a concert from my favorite artist- Mitski. Going to her concert was such a fun experience and I’m so glad I was able to go and see her songs live. After this, we went to another musical- Dear Evan Hansen. Overall, September was a great month with a lot of fun performances and viewings.

october

October was another nice, calm month! Overall, I didn’t do much, but I did get more dance performance opportunities! We also got to see Peter Pan, which, while being a more kiddy musical, was still well-done and enjoyable!

november

In November, for Thanksgiving Break, we went to Madrid, Spain! I gained lots of new experiences and got to witness a totally new culture, which I really enjoyed. I learned a lot and got to see some beautiful places. Additionally, we say Shucked: The Musical, a musical about corn! It was really fun to watch and I thought the sets were really interesting!

December

December started off with getting to see the Texas Winter Lights! A hotel had set up multiple light sculptures, all photo-ready and very pretty! I also went to a claw machine arcade, where I won two plushies- a Pikachu and a Kuromi! Finally, to end the year, we went to New Zealand, which is definitely one of the prettiest places I’ve visited. I loved exploring the Hobbit homes, the geysers, and the glowworm caves. All in all, it was a great experience.

As you can see, my year was action packed and super fun! How was your 2024?

Top Books of December

Here are my top reads of December!

  1. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
    This was such an interesting and well-written book! Blue has been told from her first days that if she kisses her true love, he will die. So, she’s made a point to stay away from all boys. But when her path collide with the “Raven Boys”, a group of boys who go to the private school nearby, she finds herself drawn into their improbable plan. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
  2. Cats of the World by Hannah Shaw
    This was an incredibly cute book with pictures of cats from all over the world! Cats and their lifestyles from countries worldwide are detailed, with an important message intertwined throughout the book. It’s beautiful and really shows the resilience of cats as they thrive in lands you’d have never thought they’d live in. I really loved reading this book and looking at the beautiful pictures!
  3. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
    This was an interesting short story about what it means to feel trapped. Gregor is a traveling salesman, the breadwinner for his family, when one day, he wakes up as a giant cockroach. He soon becomes a burden, something others, even his own family, are scared of. It was an incredible read and enthralled me from start to finish.
  4. Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
    This was a creepy and exciting read from start to finish! Ines wants to start a new life at Catherine House- that’s how it works for everyone, after all. But everyday turns out to be the same…until she gets a visit from the headmistress. Ever since then, her life turned upside down, new and strange happenings changing her perception of this school. It’s a really interesting book!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March
Top Books of April
Top Books of May
Top Books of June
Top Books of July
Top Books of August + September
Top Books of October
Top Books of November

Our Day Trips in Spain

While on our trip to Madrid, we also visited two neighboring cities- Avila and Segovia. Both were gorgeous places and amazing experiences!

Avila is famous for its walls. The city is surrounded by medieval style walls which can be climbed and walked-on. Additionally, it’s known for being the birthplace of St. Theresa. In Avila, we explored the church of St. Theresa, which was opulent and gorgeous, decorated with realistic sculptures and paintings. It was a treat to see the beauty of the church and to get to hear the story of St. Theresa. After visiting the church, we got to see a traditional Avilan home, complete with a courtyard and gorgeous tiled walls. Finally, we went to a church, famous for its walls made out of “blood stone”. Its stained glass work was astonishing and it was beautifully gilded.

After Avila, we drove to Segovia, a city famed for its Roman aqueducts. After viewing these architectural marvels, we also visited their castle, named the Alcazar de Segovia. It was artfully decorated, with stunning ceilings and breathtaking views.

Overall, I really enjoyed my two day trips! They made me love Spain even more.

A Mitski Concert

Recently, as a gift for my birthday, I got to go to a concert for my favorite artist- Mitski. I’ve loved her music for a little over a year now and her music still means a lot to me. Being able to see her live was a wonder and I was so thankful for the opportunity to go.

I’d been preparing for her tour as soon as tickets dropped- finding the setlist, listening to it on repeat, educating my parents on her music, you name it. I was so incredibly excited to see her live.

The day of the concert was slightly worrisome, as there were threats of a storm and I was concerned that rain would become a problem. Luckily, the weather remained clear (the storm missed us entirely) and the threat of the concert rescheduling, or worse, cancelling entirely, was alleviated.

We arrived pretty early, taking our time to find our seats and look around. I had known multiple people from my school who would be going and I used this time to try and spot them (in the end, I unfortunately only ended up meeting one).

The opening act was Arlo Parks, a musician whose music I had only somewhat listened to. Listening to her in real life, though, was spell bounding. Her music was gorgeous and her voice was beautiful. I loved hearing her songs in person and many of them are already on my playlist.

After another 30 minutes of waiting, it was Mitski’s time to shine. Her songs were so beautiful and I loved her choreography and lighting, both of which were incredibly unique. For example, in one of her songs, she slow-dances with a beam of light and in another, she is trapped in a cage of light. Being able to see all of these songs which I loved live was amazing and I could tell the whole crowd was enjoying it too.

As the show came to a close, we were one of the first ones out, meaning that we were able to stand in the merch (short for merchandise) line before it grew too long and I walked away with a T-shirt which I really love.

This concert has been one of my favorite experiences and I’m so grateful and happy that I was able to go. Have you ever been to a concert?

Looking Forward to 10th Grade

In just a few days, I’ll be in my sophomore year of high school. I’ll be taking more AP (Advanced Placement) courses and my workload will increase. I’ll also be spending more time on dance as well as other extracurriculars. All the same, I’m looking forward to that time and am excited to get back to a solid routine!

In school, I’ll be taking English 2, Chemistry, AP World History, AP Pre-calculus, AP Statistics, Spanish 3, and AP Seminar, a research based class. All of the AP’s are going to be tough and I’ll have to take a test for each of them at the end of the school year. Additionally, I’ve heard that Spanish 3 is a tough course, so I’ll be sure to put in a lot of time and effort to study for it.

Even though I’ll be doing a lot of work this year, I hope that I’ll have a fun time overall and will learn a lot from all the classes!

My Top Books of June

  1. I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman
    I really enjoyed this book! Angel’s whole life revolves around The Ark, an insanely popular band. Jimmy used to love being in the band, but recently everything is just overwhelming. The two meet by chance at first, but eventually they learn from each other and find new lives. I really enjoyed this book!
  2. Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa
    This book was so cute! Eleanor isn’t used to being happy or having good things, especially after what happened last year. But when she meets Pix, she finds herself being open to a new life with magic. This book was so sweet and I loved the plot and the characters!
  3. Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione
    This book was gorgeous! I loved the illustrations as well as the plot. Basil is such a sweet character and incredibly relatable! I loved learning about her adventures in (magic) culinary school as well as her adventures with her friends. It was a great book!
  4. Big Nate books by Lincoln Peirce
    Recently, I’ve been reading more relaxed/not as serious books and the Big Nate series is one of my favorites! Nate is just trying to have a fun time- at school and with his friends, but something tends to go wrong…though he’ll have a blast along the way. It was a super fun read!
  5. Out of the Blue by Jason June
    This book was perfectly sweet! Crest is a merman and so, to fulfill their quest, they must go to Earth and help a human. Sean agrees to get Crest’s help and the two embark on a spectacular journey. I really loved the characters in this book as well as the ending. It was a great book!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March
Top Books of April
Top Books of May

Newsies: The Musical

Recently, I went to see another musical- Newsies! This musical was originally a Disney movie, which was then adapted into the musical that it is today.

I absolutely loved the songs in this musical, especially the solos. All the actor’s voices were so beautiful and were perfect in conveying the story. I also really liked the set and how they were able to move only a few pieces/add in a few pieces around to convey completely different areas.

Newsies is about a group of newsboys who’s goal is to leave New York and find a new, more peaceful life for themselves. However, when the cost of buying newspapers to sell is raised, the Newsies decide to go on strike. As they gain support from other Newsies around town, Pulitzer, who runs the press, becomes enraged, banning the newspapers in town from publishing any news about the strike.

One of the things Newsies (the musical) is most well known for is its choreography and this didn’t disappoint! All the characters had such fun choreography that was a treat to watch and I really enjoyed it!

I loved this story as well as all of the characters! They all had so much spirit and such amazing personalities. I hope to watch the movie sometime as well and see how they compare!

Top Books of March

Here are my top books of March!

  1. Thirsty by Jas Hammonds
    This was such an amazing, well-written book. I loved Blake and Anita and the way that Blake learned how to grow and become a better version of herself as she found out who she really was. It was a heart-wrenching book, one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I totally recommend it to you!
  2. The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza
    This was such a beautiful book about death and the people who love you. Teagan has just died, and now she’s supposed to be living in her favorite memory forever. The problem is, Zelda, her assigned angel, has put her in her worst memory. As Zelda and Teagan go on a quest, everything starts to click into place. I really enjoyed this book!
  3. Five Survive by Holly Jackson
    This was an amazing murder mystery! When Red and her friends are trapped in a van during Spring Break, they don’t think it can get much worse than that. But there’s a sniper outside who won’t let them go until they reveal a secret. As the night goes on, enemies are made and secrets are spilled. I really enjoyed this book!
  4. The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
    This was also a great read! Bel and her dad have lived alone for 16 years, when her mom suddenly disappeared. Now, after they’ve all moved on, the last thing anyone expects is Rachel, Bel’s mom, to turn up again. But Rachel’s story doesn’t add up and doesn’t make sense. This was a great read!
  5. The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    This was a really fun book! Jameson, Grayson, Nash, and Xander have always been competitive. But now, Grayson has to learn how to truly love and care and Jameson has entered into a game with even higher stakes. I loved reading this book and putting together all the puzzle pieces. I totally recommend it to you!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February

Oman- My Spring Break Vacation

Recently, for Spring Break, I got to go to Oman, in the Middle East. It was a pretty cool trip and I got to experience and see a lot of things that I’m glad I had a chance to!

There was a lot of nature around us, from the Gulf of Oman to the desert. All of it was absolutely gorgeous and amazing to see.

Additionally, we visited many popular and beautiful areas like the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Royal Opera House. They were both awe-inspiring!

Lastly, we saw a lot of animals! Overall, there were many cats roaming the streets, especially in the souq. When driving to the desert, we saw many camels, including one that crossed right in front of our car. And lastly, we went on a boat ride to see dolphins and ended up seeing SO many. It was so wonderful!

Overall, I really enjoyed this trip and getting to see so many amazing sights. What’s a great vacation you’ve been on?

Top Books of the Year

  1. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
    This was such a good book! Teo is just a Jade, so he’s ready to sit back and watch The Sunbearer Trials while the Golds participate. But when he and another Jade get selected, suddenly his life is torn apart. Teo has to learn to believe in himself and who his real friends are while trying not to get last and be sacrificed. This was such an amazing book and I can’t wait to read the next one!

    I really enjoyed this book because of all the representation and the way that mythology was re-imagined.

    Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Cedar Smith
    This was such an amazing book! We get to see 3 different perspectives, Mary’s and her parents’. I loved the style of writing and the way poetry was eloquently used to tell the story of a French-Greek girl struggling to fit in. The author also included many beautifully written lines that still stick with me. It’s an amazing book!

    I really enjoyed this book because of the amazing writing and the quotes that stuck out to me. It was a great read told between dual perspectives.
  2. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
    This was such an amazing book! I’d heard about it for a really long time and so when I was able to get it, I was really excited! This book is about Queen Clytemnestra, one of the most infamous characters in Greek mythology, as she murdered her own husband after watching him kill their daughter as a sacrifice. I loved the way Clytemnestra was portrayed in the book, especially as we got to see her early years and how that led up to who she is. It’s a great story!

    I especially enjoyed this book because of my love for Greek Mythology, especially the character Clytemnestra. I’d heard of this book for a while before it’s publication and I was so happy to be able to get it once it released and it definitely lived up to my expectations.
  3. Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear
    I adored this book! It takes the tale of Medusa, one that’s been told many, many times, and reimagines it from the perspective of her two sisters- Stheno and Euryale, who remain virtually unheard of. It takes the story of the Gorgons from the very beginning- since they were born. We learn who they were as they grew up- what made them happy, how they each changed to fit their environment, and so on. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it to you!

    Medusa is another character in Greek Mythology who’s often painted as the villain and there have been so many retellings of her story. This one was one that I hadn’t seen before and it instantly captivated me.
  4. Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
    This was an amazing book! I loved the way that Adina grew, as she chose to make her own destiny and rules instead of falling in line with tradition. I loved the whole story and the stereotypes that it turned on its head. It was an amazing book and I totally recommend it to you!

    I loved the diversity of this book and the idea of making your own life- which was what this book was all about! It was filled with high stakes and competition and I really enjoyed it!
  5. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
    This was such an amazing and fun book, filled with dragons and daring. I really enjoyed the premise and the book didn’t disappoint! Reading about Violet was incredible and I enjoyed her journey with her dragons, Adarna and Tairn, the whole time. This was a great book!

    This book was amazing to read, especially with all the worldbuilding! It was a perfect blend of fantasy and romance and I really enjoyed it!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April and May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September and October: click here
Top Books of November: click here
Top Books of December: click here