TTHE TRUTH ABOUT SMELL

Credit: Me
I wake up every day hearing cars and merchants around me. The only thing I can think to myself is, “I am home.” For me, home isn’t but a feeling and a smell. I thought to myself, “ I will never imagine myself living in another place that isn’t Vietnam. The smell of my house is so warm and just smells different from other places.

I remember the moment like it was yesterday, my mom and dad sat me down and said they had news. “We are moving to California next week.” As soon as they said that, all the scent of my house came rushing into my nose. All the thoughts came to my head. “What will I do?” “What about all my friends?” “WHAT ABOUT MY HOUSE?”

The day came, I landed in California and took a breath in. So different I thought, how will I ever call this place home? We went into the house and started unpacking. The thought of living here for the rest of my life finally hit. Taking in the smell thinking, “ I have to wake up to this every morning.”

Years later, I can finally call this place home. The smell changed and now reminds me of my old house. Smell is a home and I love my home. 


Friends for Life

Once in a small neighborhood, there were three friends, John, Jack, and Jeffery. They met every day, a time filled with laughter, shared secrets, and many adventures. 

Their favorite meeting spot was an old tree in the neighborhood park.  Sitting under the tree they forged a bond so great that it felt unbreakable. Every afternoon, they gathered to play games, tell stories, and dream about their future. 

As the years, passed the 3 friends reached high school which brought new challenges. School and extracurriculars tested their friendship.  Yet the bond they created stayed the same. 

Through life’s twists and turns, they discovered that the essence of their friendship remained untouched by time. They supported each other through victories and helped one another through challenges, just like they did as children.

HOME

Credit: Me
For nine years, every Sunday meant waking up early for scouts, a routine since age 5. But by 15, it got old. So, one day, you decided to skip it. One week turned into two, then three, and suddenly a whole year passed. Now, you realize, “I miss it.” The next Sunday, you went back. It felt like reliving the past nine years in a flash. The laughs, challenges, and friends all those memories rushed back. Going back wasn’t just a routine; it was like speed-traveling through the cool stuff that happened in the past. A simple decision, yet it brought back a flood of meaningful moments.

The fight against yourself

Credit: Me
I was sitting at Edison High School at an MUN debate thinking, “Why did I sign up for this.” Contemplating life and the choice of taking this class I sit there. My partner turned to me and said, “ We only have spoken twice we should speak one more time at least.” Knowing me I said, “Can you do it, I don’t wanna.” She says, “Fine I’ll do it.” Bored out of my mind I sit there using my phone after someone calls a 10-minute unmod. I thought to myself, it’s time for me to start working and help my teammates. In the end, we were able to pass our resolution.

Funding for who?

In the busy town of LA, there was a boy named Jake who loved to help others without anyone knowing. He believed that people do not need to know if they did something for it to be good. He donated extra money to go fund me, and many non-profits. No one knew it was him until someone found out and decided to share his story. People now realize that just because people didn’t see you do nice things, didn’t mean you did them. His story inspired many people to do the same and he now owns the most reliable and profitable NGO (non-governmental organization)