6. Bratwurst 2025

How do you handle stress ? For me, I prioritize self-care. Stress is inevitable and I’ve found that one of the best ways to relieve it is by taking care of yourself through your health. Just recently, my mom and I found this hair spa treatment on sale, so we decided to try it out. For the first time in a while, I felt completely stress-free, just sitting there, letting someone else take care of me. I didn’t realize how much tension I held in my body until the massage started. The warm oil, the various circular movements on my pressure points, and the feeling of my hair being completely weightless–it was like every little worry disappeared. For once, I wasn’t thinking about deadlines, responsibilities, or anything else. I was just there in the present, relaxed and finally at peace. My favorite Dr. Jart facemasks from Korea   That memorable experience made me appreciate self-care even more. (I realize why so many people visit the spa so often) I’ve always been keen on taking care o...

My bed is powerful…powerful in the sense that it has the alluring effect of instantly lowering my guard and allowing me to relax. While the title of this blog may come off as satirical, there is a certain truth behind my words. According to Psychology Today, depending on “how” you use your bed and “what meaning” you assign to it, it can affect things like sleep quality (Parker). What this essentially says is that depending on how you view your bed, your bed can reciprocate it via its effect over you. For me, it is a place of comfort, as I would assume it is for most people. For some other people, their bed is a fortress against the demon who wants to chomp at their toes. And for others, it is a place to lay their back on for five hours between the non-office working of 11 P.M. to 4 A.M.                       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/engaging/202003/how-use-your-bed But for me, it goes beyond that. Almost everyday, whe...

Recently, I spoke to a friend about her mom’s upcoming 50th birthday. She was expressing her worry over not having had the time to prepare much. She ranted about how she did not know how to celebrate the birthday. Over and over, she would repeat things like “I don't know what to get her,” “Amazon shipping won’t come in time,” and “ “maybe I’ll buy her more jewelry?”  I noticed, in the entire lengthy amount of time she was expressing her dilemma, that all she spoke of was gifts. I then realized that her idea of what defines a birthday celebration is gifts. We are such different people , I thought. For my mom’s birthday last year, my sister and I transformed her room into Pranatee and Raadha’s Spa , complete with candles, calming nature music, a diffuser, towels, face masks, scented oils, nail polish, and different face creams. My mom got the whole package: we started off with a facial, then pedicure, manicure, head massage, and back massage. This picture is similar to the setup of...

My grandmother, my Aaji, lives in Mumbai, India in a quaint home next to Shivaji Park with my grandfather, my Aaba. They are enjoying their retirement, delighting in the early mornings, warm cups of chai, Marathi television serials, and long walks. I just wish I was there with them. I miss both of my grandparents terribly and I desperately wish I could ask them to just book a flight to California and come be here with me. I would relish Aaji’s puran poli and warm hugs and laugh at Aaba’s thought-provoking questions. I would take them on long drives and show them the gorgeous sunsets at Coyote Hills. But this is me dreaming because I know they are not in the condition to sustain the long flight and California’s cold winter. Until then, Whatsapp calls and “good morning” GIFS will have to suffice. About a year ago, I was rummaging through my mother’s makeup and I found a perfume that I had not seen before. Curious, I sprayed some on my clothing and immediately, I was transported back to M...

Offensive power rating (OPR) is a metric used in First Tech Challenge (FTC), a global robotics tournament that I participate in, to determine a team’s average individual contribution to their alliance in matches at a tournament.  First, let’s discuss why Offensive Power Rating is needed in the competition. In FTC, matches are played in a 2v2 format, and the “winning alliance” is the alliance of two teams that scores the most points in a match. In the competition playoffs, the top-ranked teams (ranked by number of total wins/losses in random 2v2 matchups throughout the qualification matches) get to choose their alliance partners to go into elimination rounds. This alliance selection is crucial in determining which teams will win the tournament and advance into higher competitions, so teams throughout the day scout the performance of other teams and keep track of which teams will work best with their robot and game strategy. Because scores are recorded as alliance totals, it’s diffic...

No, not the daily New York Times connections puzzles that I somehow just never solve, but rather the connections, the networks, of people that people build through experience, work, and earning a reputation. We all hear, “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know,” and this could not be more true. Whether you’re looking to get a job, out of trouble, or other opportunities, knowing people with the experience and power to help you is probably the most powerful advantage you could have over anybody else trying to do the same as you. Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler in  Schindler's List  is confident about his security Even Professor Robert Greene in his 48 Laws of Power highlighted that knowing powerful and truly useful people is one of the most important things you can do to become more successful and secure. One of the most iconic scenes from Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is where Oskar Schindler is confronted by the commander of a Nazi extermination camp that ...

  One of the most timeless forms of communication; From “my bad” to “my sincerest apologies,” this simple gesture has the power to heal wounds, soothe friendships, rebuild relationships, and keep the world running overall.  An apology is more than just a formal nicety given to please the other person; its real meaning is to account for your actions, and a proper process of apologizing has the ability to clear up miscommunication, prevent further quarrel, and relieve strong emotions that could escalate the situation.  I have personally apologized and been apologized to several times in my own life, and it is definitely an integral component of human nature overall. Humans tend to feel the need to apologize rather than seeing it as a way to get over the fight and move on, which is unnatural and mostly never seems to mend the bigger picture. In accordance with the human feelings of guilt and shame being naturally presented, there is also a need to feel acknowledged and valid...

Leadership positions appear powerful, as they seem to give people the influence to create change. However, those positions are not inherently powerful. Leaders themselves do not create change—rather, they influence others to create change on their behalf. Leaders are not all-powerful—they require supporters ( CGP Grey ). The President of the United States appears powerful from afar—theoretically, they are responsible for “ enforcing the laws of the land .” In reality, the president themself does not enforce the laws—rather, they order people below them to enforce laws. If those people do not enforce the laws and the public do not follow them, the president is effectively powerless. What use are laws if people do not follow or enforce them?  Likewise, leaders by themselves do not have power—they can only take action if they are supported by the people under them. With this viewpoint, positions of leadership can be seen as having two purposes. The first is organizational—leaders must...

Normally, I would be talking about major aspects of my life that I associate with power. But today, I want to talk about something smaller. Oftentimes, the power of procrastination is something that has a great hold over me. But on the other hand, getting stuff done can be its own driving force as it gets me into the zone. For example, I remember dreading homework for one week as I thought I would have a lot of work each day. And then at the start of the week, I started with the weekly survey. Then I went into another assignment, then another class's homework, and then homework from another class. At that moment, there was no unrelated thought in my mind and no distractions. Eventually, I completed three days worth of homework in one sitting (besides dinner). https://focusme.com/blog/how-to-get-in-the-zone-every-time-you-sit-down-to-work-online/ The way one has to think in order to get into the zone is almost indescribable. As described by an Harvard Business Review article, t...

Life brings regrets and desires, nostalgia and longing that you can not escape sometimes. However much we try, there are times where we get stuck worrying about our past mistakes or our future aspirations, regrets from long ago or obstacles far ahead. Beyond these worries and anxieties, I believe that in time, the most power that you can hold is in the present moment. It is important to be willing to just exist in the present, clear your mind, and relax once in a while.  In the wake of big decisions, being present in the moment is also crucial to slowing down and making informed choices; Even though “staying present” can merely be seen as a way to relax, staying in the moment can be a beneficial way to handle stress or pressure from others. In the crazy daze of high school, many students, me included, have been stuck in a cycle of overthinking and anxiety for the future, what we could’ve done better, etc. Although these thoughts are needed to construct your future, I always consult...

Fashion isn’t just fabric stitched together—it’s power. It can shape perception, hold deeper meanings, and express what people sometimes can’t say. From the stage to the streets, fashion is a force that transcends time and culture, influencing how we see each other.                                                Image of an exhibition from The Museum At FIT Fashion in the arts, such as ballet, tells stories and adds discipline, wrapped in layers of silk and tulle. Fashion in the world of ballet carries history and symbolism. A tutu is more than just a costume, but a statement of character, pushing the body beyond human limits while maintaining the illusion of effortlessness. Even pointe shoes have evolved into the structured satin platforms that dancers now rely on to balance their body weight. Beyond aesthetics, dance fash...

When I asked Google to define masculine energy , the results showed that having masculine energy is all about “doing” and being “action-oriented.” Considered the more predictable energy, masculine energy favors structure, rules, logic, and independence. I personally think of the masculine energy with the “go go go go!” mindset. We all have a part of masculine energy within us: our structure-oriented sides, our ability to tackle an action plan, our strength in persona…there is always a percent of masculine energy that resides within us.  This masculine energy is what is often associated with power and leadership and it is the character that people believe they must adopt in order to reflect a strong front. The leaders of America, the CEOs of companies, even the captains of sports teams all subconsciously adapt to these characteristics because that is what society has deemed powerful and worthy of respect. But I believe in the power of balance.  Feminine energy is all about flo...

I hate physical touch. It is horrible. Terrible. The WORST way for someone to bond with me. When people hug me, I tend to become stiff. Their fingers feel like claws latching to my skin, trapping me in a little cage. But, my relationship with physical touch is actually very complex. If there is one thing I absolutely can not live without, it's snuggling with my mom. Perhaps the reason physical touch feels so comfortable with her is because she gave birth to me, or the fact that I’ve been by her side my whole life. Interestingly enough, I never really give hugs to my dad. Don't get me wrong I have the best dad in the whole world and couldn’t ask for anything better. But, hugs just don’t feel the same with him. Even my own sister’s hugs don’t hit the same! There are certain people, aside from my mom, I love hugging, such as individuals on my dance team. Strangely enough, I HATE hugging my best friends, people I’ve known for 5 years. So, we can conclude that my level of comfort wi...

The 48 Laws of Power . Seems like quite an interesting way to name a book, huh… Author Robert Greene must be some sort of narcissist if he thinks he knows that much about such deep topics… What if I told you that this ominous sounding book is considered to be one of the most powerful and manipulative books there is?  Governments have gone so far as to ban this book from prisons and the reaches of potentially dangerous individuals. This book has been pictured being read by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Michael Jackson, and referenced in famous cultural pieces by artists such as Kanye West, 50 Cent, and Courtney Love (who was even photographed taking the book up to her court trials).  Robert Greene posing with a chess board, his  symbol for wisdom and power. The book reveals ideas and habits that can be used to toy with human psychology. Robert Greene, a Berkeley graduated psychologist and author, wrote the book with a sort of mysterious aura, writing each law clear and conc...

2025, February 7, twelve-forty in the afternoon, I checked out my copy of Everything I Never Told You with this expectation: it would be no different from any other APENG novel I had read. 5 hours and 30 minutes later, I knew I was wrong. This novel was different. The Great Gatsby was a fascinating novel, but I think the characters seemed superficial and stereotypical. Source: The New York Times I usually don’t like reading novels. They tend to blow reality out of proportion, failing to capture the everyday human experience. The Great Gatsby ’s excess and extravagance creates a wonderful plot with “heavy symbolism,” but the characters are too idealized; they seem too stereotypical for me to see them as human. The eloquent prose and dramatic plot of In Cold Blood sucked me in, but the dialogue feels strange, as if it’s almost too perfect. Both books have a beautifully crafted plot and prose, but the characters seem distant and unrealistic. In a way, Everything I Never Told You i...