The Case for Romance Novels
I have a literary confession to make: I’m addicted to romance novels. It began in sixth grade when I first picked up “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer, then “New Moon,” then “Eclipse,” and finally the exhilarating conclusion “Breaking Dawn.” I read the series three more times…
Inequities in Global Vaccine Distribution are Leaving Vulnerable Countries Behind
As I received my second vaccination against COVID-19 at the UC Santa Cruz Health Center on Feb. 12, I couldn’t help but think of the millions of medical professionals and vulnerable populations worldwide who had yet to receive a single dose. It did not feel…
How To Be A Better Journalist, According to David Hoffman
I was pretty nervous when I phoned David Hoffman last Thursday afternoon — to the point where I forgot to do all the things you’re supposed to when starting an interview: make small talk with the source, say a little on what your story’s about,…
Recent Anti-Asian Attacks Continue Centuries of Discrimination
As a Chinese international student walked into a CVS to place a money order, she was told to show her ID. Upon showing her Chinese passport, the cashier told her that CVS does not sell money orders to foreigners. This happened to my friend at…
Pirouettes and Plies Paused by a Pandemic
With one leg stretched along the three-foot barre, I looked over at the floor-to-ceiling mirror and wondered if my teacher would tell me that my toes weren’t pointed. I leaned over, connecting my hand to my foot for the stretch I noticed all the other…
Navigating Your Twenties in the ’20s
Growing up is the phenomenon every adult warns you about. “Cherish your childhood.” “You’ll miss it once it’s over.” Now, in your twenties, with the rose-colored glasses of childhood removed, you realize why adults are stressed all the time. Instead of eating candy and swinging…
Aging in Reverse
Does anyone else remember their sophomore year of high school? If you’re anything like me, I’ll sum it up for you — your classes are more confusing than you thought, you’re not driving anywhere other than the grocery store, and you’re spending way too much…
Life or Death: Mental Health and CAPS in the Time of the Coronavirus
Content warning: This piece contains reference to suicide and mental health struggles. The first time I called UC Santa Cruz Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) crisis line with the intent to kill myself, they dropped the call. It was around 10 a.m. on an empty,…
Santa Cruz Community Fridges Multiply Across Santa Cruz: My Experience With Mutual Aid
The first time I volunteered with the Santa Cruz chapter of Food Not Bombs three years ago, we scrutinized each piece of donated produce to make sure it was clean and unspoiled, before preparing all-vegan meals for the hungry. The amount of care put into…
Scrolling Around Campus: A Survey of Zoom University
Before freshman year, Santa Cruz was the “Murder Capital of the World” to me. Tucked in the upper corner of the Monterey Bay, its redwoods are foreboding, its boardwalk dense with character. My first impressions of Santa Cruz, influenced by movies and TV shows like…