TITAN TIMES TITAN TIMES
VOL. 4, ISSUE 9 |
HOW TO LOVE WHEN NO ONE LOVES YOU
By Sofia Navarro & Nichless Calderon
We just left February, the month of love, and it seems like everyone around you is in a happy relationship There lies around oneself that feeling of a beautiful dance between hearts which flourishes on mutual affection and understanding. However, in the midst of all this affection-driven pandemonium, people experience times in their lives when they feel surrounded by indifference During these moments, one feels challenged to endure this lack of love and can only resolve it by nurturing self-love. It is important to see the transformative power of this self-love in addition to external love
The Foundation of Self-Love
To truly love others, we must first learn to love ourselves This becomes even more important during moments when we feel unloved Self-love is not just a trendy phrase; it’s a vital practice that involves recognizing our worth, accepting our flaws, and taking care of our well-being It means treating ourselves with the same kindness and compassion we would extend to a close friend. To nurture
self-love, we can start with selfreflection Journaling can be an effective way to express our thoughts and feelings, challenge negative self-views, and acknowledge our accomplishments and growth Moreover, practicing mindfulness and self-compassion can assist us in silencing our inner critic and replacing self-doubt with affirmations of our inherent worth By focusing on our mental, emotional, and physical health through exercise, nutritious eating, and adequate rest we lay a strong foundation of self-love that helps us remain resilient, even during times of loneliness
Building Community and Connection
While self-love is important, humans are naturally social creatures who thrive on connection When we feel unloved, it's crucial to seek out communities that align with our values and interests This might mean joining clubs, volunteering, or getting involved in activities that excite us By connecting with others who share our passions, we create opportunities for authentic relationships to develop
Practicing Unconditional Love
One of the most meaningful ways to love when you feel unloved is to practice unconditional love This type of love is marked by
selflessness and the absence of expectations This type of love is marked by selflessness and the absence of expectations It resembles the love parents often have for their children or the affection we might feel for a pet Practicing unconditional love involves showing kindness, compassion, and understanding without hoping for anything in return Engaging in acts of kindness whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering at a local shelter, or simply sharing a smile with a stranger can be lifechanging These gestures not only uplift others but also bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment to our own lives The energy we invest in loving others can create ripples, potentially encouraging them to reciprocate that love, even if it takes time This mindset ultimately shifts our focus from seeking love from others to becoming a source of love in the world
Conclusion
Learning to love when no one loves you is certainly a tough journey, but it also offers a deep path of self-discovery and personal growth By nurturing self-love, forming connections, and practicing unconditional love, we can develop a fulfilling inner life that supports us and our close friends and community During times of loneliness, we can remind ourselves that love isn't just about receiving; it's also about the joy of giving Love, in all its forms, is a powerful force that can mend wounds, bridge gaps, and light up even the darkest parts of our lives Ultimately, by viewing love as an active practice, we can turn our solitude into a haven of warmth and connection, enhancing not just our own lives but also the lives of others
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What High Schoolers Really Think About Dating
By Sydney Cramer Sophomore, Hot Topics Editor
Love is in the air, or maybe not? On Valentine’s Day, we saw teddy bears, heart-shaped chocolates, romantic posters, and couples celebrating their relationships However, while some students embrace romance, others remain happily single So, is dating at this age a valuable experience or just added drama? To find out what the students of ND have to say, I reached out to students in relationships and single individuals to ask for their opinions about love and dating in high school For some, relationships are a key part of personal growth and development Sara Sanchez (12) believes dating in
high school helps you “grow as a person and experience love,” even if it doesn’t always work out Sofia Barajas (11) loves having someone who “understands me, is good company, and a trusthworthy person to talk to”
But she admits that managing her money has become a little challenging
For couples like Mario Cabral (11) and Michaela Rodriguez (11), dating makes high school more exciting “School functions, spirit days, and even class feel ten times better when you’re doing them with someone you love,”
Mickey says However, Mario makes it a point to say no one is perfect and that, “We’re just kids trying our best to love each other”
Still, many agree that high school relationships don’t always last Roman Nuñez (10) points out that “in a small school, everyone is in your business,” which can add pressure Tori Quiroga (12) says the hardest part is “bad influences from immature people or poor communication”
Despite the challenges, she believes that “when you find the
right person, it just makes sense” Not everyone sees dating as a must Ana Ramirez (11) argues that being single is better because “high school is a time to figure out who you are, and I feel like that’s really hard when you’re attached to someone else While relationships can help with selfdiscovery, she believes they can also hold people back Luke Webster (10) thinks it’s all about priorities “If a relationship matters more to you than school and friends, go for it But
are you missing out? No, you can do all that in college or whatever, there’s time” Ventura Renteria (10) has mixed feelings: “Sometimes I’m glad I’m single, but other times I think, ‘Damn, I’ve basically been single for the fifteen years I’ve been on this planet,’ but I’m not jealous seeing oher couples its more good for them and maybe it’s not my time to be in a relationship yet”
Matthew Fillippelli (11) takes a balanced approach: “I think most people in high school date for the wrong (continued on page 5)
A Saint for Sweethearts: Saint Valentine
By Elyza Lansang Senior, Writer
Valentine’s Day is focused on roses, chocolates, and spending time with the special people in your life However, is this what Valentine’s Day is truly about? Valentine’s Day is a Feast Day celebrating a priest who died for Christ, St Valentine But, who is St Valentine? And why is he a recognized Saint of the Catholic Church? St Valentine’s story dates back to the 3rd century in Rome While the details of St Valentine’s story are unclear, and so there are many versions of his story, one of them is that it is believed that the emperor of this time forbade the marriage of young people He restricted this union between young lovers as when the kingdom needed young men for the army, it was believed that unmarried soldiers fought better than those married ones This was perceived as married soldiers would worry more about their wives and children, stopping them from fighting at their true
potential This lack of passion in battle would lead to major losses for the empire, which the emperor could not afford
The nature of marriage for the Romans also differed from Christian marriages In the 3rd century, Roman marriages were often arranged, with women often being dominated by their husbands The choosing of suitors was focused solely on family interests and legal standing Even worse, marriage was understood as a social contract between two families This all contrasted Christian marriages, which focused
on showing God’s love to your spouse In the midst of all this, St Valentine saw the importance of Catholic marriage as it symbolized Christ’s light and love between a man and a woman for life He understood the deep message that sacrifice was a major part of marriage Some soldiers desired marriage, so St Valentine would secretly marry them, defying the emperor’s edict Many couples flocked to his aid so that he could marry them under the Catholic Church It is also possible that he helped bring eyesight back to the jailer’s
daughter by asking for a miracle from God It is not confirmed that he fell in love with her, but the story notes the day of his death, he signed his letter to her with the words, “from your Valentine” On February 14th, St Valentine died as a martyr for Christ, standing as witness to the the sanctity of love and marriage, and a defender of the faith St Valentine’s inspiring story brings the Holy Spirit’s light to enlighten Catholics about the importance of this holiday His service to Christ teaches the true meaning of sacrificial love! This love can only come from Christ and He gives us the grace to give this love to others
Super Bowl LIX Kendrick Half-Time Show
By Ethan Lansang Senior, Guest writer
Context:
The back-to-back defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs were looking to cement their dynasty in NFL history as the first NFL team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships The Philadelphia Eagles were looking to spoil the Kansas City Chiefs’ chance at a threepeat and avenge their Super Bowl loss two years ago That loss came at the hands of Patrick Mahomes which began the Chiefs’ quest for the three-peat
The Game:
Looking to Next Season:
The 2024-2025 season for the NFL is officially in the books Now is the time for the waytoo-early predictions for next year’s Super Bowl matchup Eagles at Bills 1
The Buffalo Bills will be looking to build upon this past season’s success, which led to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen winning the Most Valuable Player award, in order to get to the big game Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles will look to be the first team to repeat since the Dallas Cowboys won back-toback titles in the early ‘90s This Super Bowl matchup would give the Buffalo Bills the opportunity to win their first Super Bowl championship
The Eagles got to a quick start as they were able to score a touchdown on their second offensive drive of the game in the first quarter As the game progressed, it was a very onesided affair The Eagles’ offense kept scoring touchdowns and field goals while the Eagles’ defense locked down the Chiefs offense The Chiefs’ offense was completely struggling as they could not get to the Eagles’ side of the field until the third quarter As a result, the Chiefs were shutout 24-0 at halftime The Eagles’ defense came prepared with an excellent game plan as the Patrick Mahomes was in constant duress by the Eagles’ pass rush By the end of the game, Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked a total of six times, which is the most times Mahomes has ever been sacked in a game in his entire NFL career The constant pressure caused Mahomes to throw two interceptions which included one that was returned for a touchdown In addition, Mahomes fumbled the ball from a strip sack as he was looking for a desperation throw In the end, the Eagles came out victorious as the new Super Bowl Champions The Eagles won 40-22
By Douglas Cube Sophomore, Spotlight Editor
Ever since the first half time show, during the first super bowl, in 1967, the performance has been a spectacle for modern pop culture to be expressed and shown to a wider audience This year’s half time show hosted by Apple Music, was performed by rapper Kendrick Lamar The performance itself ended an almost year-long beef with fellow rapper, Drake, as his grammy winning song, and Drake diss track, They Not Like Us, concluded his performance Alongside Kendrick, was guest performer SZA, who was also one of Drake’s exes, further adding salt into the wound
Aside from the beef, Kendrick’s performance carried a message that was not seen by everybody The dancers in his performance, were
dressed in the patriotic colors of Red, White, and Blue In addition to Samuel L Jackson playing the role of uncle Sam, it is clear that Kendrick is attempting to send a message to America Further comments by Uncle Sam also prove this, telling us that Kendrick does not really know how to play ‘The Game’ In this scenario, ‘The Game’ is the rules that the government has placed, and expects to be followed However, Kendrick is defying this rules, not allowing the government, or anybody, to control him
This legendary performance, whilst also a showcase of pop culture, also sends a message to the American public, which truly encapsulates the reasoning behind the halftime show
Q: Thoughts on Luka Doncic
joining the Lakers?
“Trade of the Era” - Milo Zreik, 12
“They traded him away like a bag of chips. He brought them to the championship game last year, this time. And they just traded him away” - Gian De La Cruz, 12
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Scholar Spotlight
By Dana Clark Junior, writer
Find ♡: ♡-∞=0 The answer is ♡=∞ Although this was just a Valentines twist to it, this is an example of what is taught in Mr Johnson’s class! Within his awesome class, students are taught both algebra I and algebra II! These two subjects (along with geometry) ultimately provide the fundamental basis for advanced mathethmatics, such as factoring, exponents, and matrices This makes Mr Johnson’s classroom absolutely significant and utilizable in
everyday life As he said, he wishes that he could highlight 10 or all of his students; this month, we had the chance to get insight on three out of all his amazing students! Firstly, Xitllali Ortiz is noted for being very kind, caring, helpful, and such a joy to be around Everyday she is ready to learn and be a great mathematician!
Fantastic job, Xitllali! Next, Mr Johnson absolutely enjoys having Emiliano Mata-Padilla in his class He always participates in class and has a great sense of humor Keep up the great work, Emiliano!
Last but not least, Genevieve Belleza is emphasized for always being bright and cheerful In class she makes effort to ask great questions during lessons and contributes significantly Amazing work, Genevieve! Congratulations to all three students, and to all mathematicians! :) All Titans, continue working hard throughout this second semester and make sure to enjoy your Winter break to its fullest! Happy Valentine’s day and make sure to spread tons of love, especially to yourself, XOXO!
Why you should Meal Prep
Sophomore, Spotlight Editor
If you’re like me, you enjoy good food but don’t want to spend a fortune on it For students who work, learning how to save money is essential, and buying food everyday can take a significant toll on our bank accounts over time One of the best solutions to this is meal prepping
Meal Prepping is the practice of preparing meals in advance, usually for an entire week For me, I have begun prepping my meals on Sunday nights, and it has made a huge difference in my daily routine Not only has this saved me time and money, but it has also helped me eat healthier
go This is especially helpful for those of you who have packed schedules with work, school, sports, and any other extracurricular activities Having pre-made meals means you can focus on more important things without stressing about food
Ms. Bravo
As said in 1 Corinthians 13:7, love endures all In this issue’s Teacher Spotlight, we will be looking to one of ND’s most esteemed alumna, a beacon of knowledge, Ms Bravo! Serving as the school’s Cultural Anthropology, AP Psychology, and Intro to Psychology instructor, Ms Bravo is one of the most suitable individuals to approach regarding today’s special topic: the psychology of love!
Q: “What do most modern psychologists believe love, or at least the feeling of being in love, to be?”
A: “The feeling of love is very much rooted in a biological chemical Oxytocin is the hormone that is released when people are cuddling, hugging, or embracing someone they love But it’s also present when someone feels jealous Love is very much intertwined with oxytocin, as well as serotonin, which makes you feel happy, and it is really based on a mutual connection, mutual respect, and admiration”
Q: “Do you think love can be addictive, almost acting as a sort of drug?”
A: “If it’s toxic love, definitely Dopamine is the chemical present in your brain when you’re engaging in addictive behaviors, but it’s also present in love situations, as well as in addiction So, I would say yes”
Q: “How does culture influence the ways in which people experience and express love?”
One of the biggest advantages of meal prepping is that it encourages healthier eating habits When you prepare your own meals, you have control over the ingredients and portion sizes, making it easier to avoid unhealthy fast-food options It’s up to you if you want to eat more fruits, veggies, or have more balanced meals into diet
Meal prepping is also great for saving time Instead of spending time every day figuring out what to eat or waiting in line for food, you already have meals ready to
If you’re new to meal prepping, start simple Choose a few meals you enjoy, set aside time once a week to cook, and store your meals in airtight containers Over time, you’ll get the hang of it I like to take advantage of this and try new recipes
To wrap things up, meal prepping is honestly such a game changer for anyone looking to save money, time, and eat healthier If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a shot You might be surprised at how much of a difference it makes in your daily life
A: “In our culture right now, for example, social media is such a big part of it Love is so rooted in how we treat each other on the phone You’re waiting for someone to text you, hoping that person isn’t liking anybody else’s posts There is a glorification of relationships, especially among young people”
Q: “What do you hope, looking at it from an average person’s point of view, for the future of love?”
A: “I hope that people become more about giving love than receiving love Nowadays, love is so reciprocal: ‘I do this for you, you should be doing this for me’ I would love for love to become more about giving”
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How to Rizz up the Huzz
By Doug Cube Sophomore, Editor
As valentines approaches, love begins to fill the air For many, this time presents the perfect opportunity to ask out their crush While the task may seem daunting, there is a way to do it successfully
To begin with, you should probably identify your feelings: is it Love, or Lust? In todays society, this is something that is very common, and before asking your crush to be your valentine, you should probably know what your feeling, and if you really want to ask them out
After debriefing on your feelings, you must move your thoughts on how to actually execute this task Whilst for some, simply asking them is enough, for others, you may want to impress them with a gift For circumstances like this, gift ideas are endless Gifts for this range from, a bouquet of flowers, to a poster, or maybe a fun stuffed animal To expand on the fun stuffed
animal gift, maybe try assembling a valentines basket for them Usually these baskets are quite simple, consisting of a basket, filled with small gifts for them, such as stuffed animals, candles, fragrance mists, candy or maybe a blanket
While the baskets, are a lot of work, and sometimes a lot of money, they are definitely a way to win over your current talking stage, or make on move on your crush
Wether you give them a gift or not, you still need to make it through the most important part: actually asking
Decades of Love Songs
By Matthew Baculo Senior, Music writer
Hey Titans! It’s almost Valentine’s day so let’s get into some of the most popular love songs throughout the decades!
1954 - Earth Angel by The Penguins
This classic song from the 1950s talks about the innocence of teenage romance
1961 - Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
A soft guitar and Elvis’s signature voice makes this love song a classic!
1970 - Your Song by Elton John
A personal favorite of mine that displays a personal and intimate love
them To do this, you might want to set the scene a little bit, don’t do it at school, but instead take them to wingstop, or starbucks, or wherever they like to go, and maybe buy them something if you haven’t already From there, you mostly have to be yourself Create conversation like you usually would Whenever you feel the time is right, tell them about how you feel If you made them a poster, or got them a gift, this is also the time to give it to them So from here, the ball is in their court, if they feel the same way, then that’s great, and maybe you will progress into a further relationship However, if they reject you, that’s still fine, realistically, life is short, and at least you tried However, I think that’s all the advice that i can give you guys Happy Valentine’s day, and Good Luck!
Cont from page 2
reason If you’re dating with good intentions, then it’s worth it That said, he’s not worried about Valentine’s Day either, his mom still gives him candy so its a win regardless Ultimately, there is no right answer Dating at this age can be exciting and even lifechanging, but also distracting, , messy, and unnecessary Some students love the experience while others happily wait for something more serious in the future
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your partner, your friends, or just a box of chocolates from your mom, love in high school doesn’t have just one definition, but rather everyone is figuring out in their own way of loving
Tech Talk
By Seb Bou Harb Senior, Tech Writer
1984 - I just Called to Say I Love
You by Stevie Wonder
The lyrics and instruments consisting of synths and Stevie’s soulful voice created a nice comforting love song
1992 - I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
The acapella vocal into strings and drums leads into a passionate farewell
2003 - Crazy in Love by Beyonce (feat. Jay-Z)
A thrilling confession of head over heels passion
2014 - Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
The song by Ed Sheeran talksk about a vow to love someone through the thick and thin
2022 - Valentine by Laufey
The song reflects on a tender new love with vocals and music that make you think you’re daydreaming
Hey Titans and welcome back to this lovely edition of Tech Talk Although we might not necessarily be fitting into the theme of love, we are gonna make it work Without further ado, let's get into it One nifty trick you can use through iMessage to send a your significant other a gesture of love is through the Digital Touch feature To use it, go to your iMessage between yourself and the person you want to send to, click the plus sign, scroll through the options until you get to “Digital Touch” Now, you want to be very careful as whatever gesture you make on the touchpad will automatically send to the other person Now, to execute some gestures of love, you could double tap with two
fingers to send some kissing lips that are very romantic You could also hold two fingers down to send a beating heart Again, remember to be careful because whatever gesture you do will be sent automatically
Additionally, there other ways to up your love talk/text through message effects in iMessage Add a nice twist to your “I-LoveYou” by adding a big, red heart
Right before you send your love message, hold the blue “send” arrow, click screen at the top, scroll to the 5th option with the heart, send, and watch your message get sent with an inflating red heart guaranteed to make the recipient’s heart fly away as well (not actually guaranteed) With that, I hope I could help you guys up your Valentine Day game Seb signing off of Tech Talk, till next issue!
Advice Archives
Q: Recently, one of my friends has been drifting away from me. They’ve been coming up with excuses to leave me and hang out with someone else. I can see what’s happening, but I don’t know how to deal with my emotions.
A: It’s definitely tough when a friend starts to drift away, and it’s okay to feel hurt or confused You should try to reflect on whether something specific might have caused the distance to happen, but also recognize that sometimes people grow apart for reasons out of your control If you feel like you have the relationship and bond with your friend, you should try having an honest and non-confrontational conversation with them to share how you’re feeling Now at the same time, you should give them space if they need it, and focus on taking care of yourself- whether through hobbies, other friendships, or self-care. It’s hard to accept, but not all friendships can and do last forever, and that’s a normal part of life Lean on others for support, and remember that your value as a friend and person isn’t tied to just one relationship Change can be painful, but it also opens the door to new connections and growth as a person Thanks :)
The Titan Times
notredameriverside.org/titantimes
Editor-in-Chief
Lubianca Gaitan
Moderator
Mrs Arguelles
Editors
Jude Cramer
Gael Campos
Minh Lai
Sydney Cramer
Doug Cube
Staff Writers
Elyza Lansang
Matthew Baculo
Sebastian Bou Harb
Sonny Dominguez
Dana Clark
Alan Baltazar
Nichless Calderon
Social Media
Doug Cube
Photography
Lubianca Gaitan
Xitllali Ortiz
New Issue bi-weekly on Tuesdays
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