Features

When I stepped into Goodwill, I headed to the men’s section, a tiny corner compared to the women’s section. This already put me at a disadvantage, as I would have limited options to choose from. I didn’t let this dissuade me from trying to find the right outfit for Andy, however, who told me that comfort is the most crucial factor while shopping. I looked for cargo shorts, a plain tee and sneakers, all of which I thought would be simple and comfortable. Not knowing which clothing items would fit him, I picked out shirts and shorts of varying sizes and had Andy try them all on. None of the shorts were his size, but he agreed to wear a pair of baggy black shorts since there wasn’t enough time to find another pair. As for shoes, Andy wore flip flops, which I paired with a gray Nike shirt. The outfit gave off a beachy vibe, so we topped it off with sunglasses. Overall, the challenge wasn’t as difficult as expected; contrary to my earlier apprehensions, I realized that a larger variety makes choosing an outfit more challenging.

Going into the challenge, I did not have the vaguest idea about what outfit I wanted. I thought I might have an advantage, as I had been thrift shopping before. I was wrong. Main concerns were that I would be unable to find clothes in Joycelyn’s size or style. I began to gather any items of clothing that looked promising. Joycelyn told me that she liked big cardigans, but I couldn’t find any. I settled for a long gray-to-white ombré cardigan and then chose a white cold shoulder top, as Joycelyn likes light colors. I wanted her to wear shorts, but finding a pair of shorts that weren’t an awkward length her size proved to be a challenge. I picked out two pairs of shorts. When the first pair of shorts didn’t fit her, I had a bad feeling about the pair of backup shorts I had chosen. They were an awkward length and didn’t match the outfit’s color scheme. Though my outfit may not have been the most fashion-forward, this challenge was a lot more difficult than I had initially envisioned. Regardless, it was definitely a challenging yet memorable experience.

I was the first to arrive at Goodwill, so I had a look around the store. Hoping to spot some items to snatch as soon as the challenge began, I was dismayed to find the store too overwhelming. I had not been thrift shopping before, so I was pretty intimidated when Belinda revealed that she had gone several times in the past. As a jacket can really make an outfit, I first went to the coat section, where I was pleased to find a beige puffer jacket. To make the challenge as simple as possible, instead of picking out individual pieces, I went straight for a dress. I liked the dress that I picked a lot, except it was beige as well.

Knowing that these two pieces were both beige, I was skeptical. At the last minute, I snagged a black jacket to pair with the dress, but in a moment of poor judgement, I paired the two beige pieces together and handed the outfit to Shriya. She ended up really liking the dress, but was unsure about the pairing with the jacket, confirming my suspicions.

From the start, I knew I wanted to go for vintage or retro vibes. A white and blue-striped shirt immediately caught my eye as I looked through the first rack in the men’s section. The shirt fit perfectly, so I decided to build the rest of the outfit around it. I settled for a pair of light wash jeans with a rip on the knee. The jeans perfectly contrasted the shirt, and although they were a little baggy around the waist, the shirt was long enough to mask that. I figured out my outfit within the first five minutes of the challenge, but I forgot that we were also supposed to pick out shoes. Finding shoes in the right size that went with the outfit was a monumental nightmare. I spent more than half of my time looking for shoes that would match his outfit’s retro vibe and he could actually walk in, and in the last minute, finally decided on a pair of tan suede oxford shoes. I was very satisfied with the final result, since I managed to finish the challenge just in time, and his outfit came together so well that it had the power to completely change his vibe.

MICHYLA LIN // OH WHALE!

My favorite part of the end of school aside from summer break is the opportunity to hit the reset button and think of ways in which I want to improve myself. At the beginning of this year, I created a bucket list of things I wanted to accomplish before the end of the year. However, as 2017 came and went, I discovered that goals are not always one and done decided to take time to reflect on how I’ve grown throughout the years.

Ever since I was young, I wanted to impact the world. I thought at first I would achieve this by being a singer or actress. However, my experiences in school taught me that there are different ways of achieving this aside from being well known. This column was one way I could make my mark by sharing what “wisdom” I’ve collected throughout my four years. So now I will write my final advice to everyone. Dear Freshmen, Congratulations on making it through your first year of high school. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of spending another three years here, I get it. I did too. School is about challenging your mind to think in different ways so that you can continue to grow in the future which can include getting outside of your comfort zone by joining a club or a sport for the first time. I did that by joining the Epic, but everyone is different. Don’t feel rushed to find your niche. I’ll tell you a secret: even some upperclassmen have yet to find where they fit in, so don’t think that you have to be part of a group. Sometimes those who go solo discover more about themselves. Dear Sophomores, The first round of Honors and AP courses are the toughest, and I commend you for getting through it all. Some of you may have found your place, while others may feel caught in a weird limbo between groups. Some of you may be thinking about what you want to study in the future, while others may still be a little unsure. As the stress builds, remember not to become lost in your work moving forward. Dear Juniors, One year left. It’s an exciting prospect and by now you may find yourselves taking on more responsibilities as you assume leadership positions in clubs or participate in more programs. Though exciting, it can be overwhelming. At times it may feel like you’re drowning, but it’s okay to slip up. After all, we’re human. What is more important is that you find a way to grow from all these extracurriculars. If you don’t feel like you’re growing, find something that challenges you rather than buries you under work. The magic of maturing is that we gain the skills needed to initiate change. To my fellow seniors, We did it. It’s time to thrust ourselves into the real world and see how we fare on our own. Rather than advice, I’d like to extend a final farewell. Many of us have seen each other grow up since elementary school and watched each other become the people we are today. Hopefully, we keep in touch after we leave Lynbrook and inspire one another as our lives progress.

So here is my final goodbye. Goodbye to Lynbrook, goodbye to the Class of 2018 and goodbye to my primary youth. We had a good run, and if we never meet again, Oh Whale, I hope you will continue to grow and wish you all good luck on whatever path you find yourself going down in the future.

BY MEDHA UPADHYAY

Around this time of year, you can surely feel the impending apocalypse of second semester finals.

Studying for stressful exams can leave you feeling exhausted, and being tired can make you feel grumpy, frustrated and unproductive. This is a vicious cycle, but there are some simple things that can be done to give you a natural boost of energy during this especially taxing time. This finals season, follow these easy steps to avoid becoming a finals zombie!

1. Collect Bodily Fluids Healthy humans should be drinking at least two liters of water every day, which is about 67 ounces. Anything less than this, and you are stepping into zombie territory. Dehydration is a major cause of daytime exhaustion, and drinking more water can lead to better productivity. A simple way to keep track of your water intake is to drink from a measured water bottle. Check how many ounces your bottle is, and refill accordingly to make sure you meet your minimum daily intake.

2. Chase Zombies When you are tired and pressed for time, it can be easy to skip exercise. Low-intensity exercise, however, can help people suffering from fatigue or displaying other zombie symptoms. Something as simple as 10 to 15 minutes of walking can leave you feeling more energized by increasing the blood flow throughout your body and carrying oxygen to your muscles and brain. The next time you feel like you are not able to get anything done, leave your desk for a few minutes of light exercise. For bonus points, step outside to get a breath of fresh non-infested air and a change in scenery. As long as you avoid any freshly-turned graves, you should be fine.

3. Play Dead Short naps are proven to improve cognitive functions, so a 20-minute nap can help your brain function more efaficiently. You’ll feel more energized and focused, your mind will be fresh and your concentration will heighten. Beware though, as sleeping for more than 30 minutes will leave you feeling groggy — the more you sleep, the closer you come to becoming a reanimated corpse. Be sure to set an alarm before you sleep, and refrain from hitting snooze!

4. Level Up When stressed, your body triggers cortisol, a hormone which burns through large chunks of energy. Meditation limits cortisol levels and will help clear your mind. It is not difficult and can be done in just a few minutes. All you have to do is sit up, relax, close your eyes and try simple breathing techniques. One exercise is to breathe in through one nostril and exhale through the other nostril. Whichever exercise you choose, the goal is to focus on breathing in order to clear the mind. Although sitting around may put you at risk for a zombie attack, you really must try to empty your mind of all thoughts to reap the benefits of meditation. You will be all the more alert once you are done!

BY MICHELLE ZEMLYAK

The last school bell rings as students spill out of their classrooms, celebrating the end of finals and saying their summer goodbyes. They head out to grab a bite or a drink with their friends, but places such as MOD Pizza, Cicero’s and Tea Top quickly become crowded with familiar faces. If you want to grab a quick bite but don’t like waiting in long lines, here are some food spots nearby to help you welcome in the summer.

Rio Adobe Southwestern Cafe, though often overshadowed by its more popular counterpart, Chipotle, offers novel takes on Mexican food. The menu includes cultural classics like tacos and enchiladas, but with different proteins inside, such as chicken, beef or shrimp. If you’re feeling adventurous and looking for something new, this spot makes chicken tortilla soup and chocolate empanadas. Instead of bread, the restaurant serves tortilla chips along with a bar of toppings to choose, including salsa verde or corn and beans. Be sure to come hungry and with plenty of friends because the portion sizes are very large!

Located in a yellow building, Falafel Stop is hard to miss. This partially outdoor spot is a great place to go for falafel, house-made pita or shawarma, a Mediterranean take on grilled chicken. Falafel Stop’s signature falafel plate comes with an array of salads with various influences: the Israeli red cabbage salad, the Levantine babaganoush and the German sauerkraut. This place is also great for picky eaters or people with allergies, as there are plenty of options that allow for customization of salads and toppings. With vegetarian options costing around seven dollars and meat dishes around ten dollars, Falafel Stop is the perfect spot for those looking for great food and a casual atmosphere.

Just off El Camino Real, Cocohodo is a treat. The unique coffee shop has a minimalistic but tastefully-decorated interior, with the Cocohodo logo on every table, several leather and black chairs to relax at and Cocohodo wallpaper adorning the walls. There is a coffee drink for everyone, from plain espressos and cappuccinos to green tea, hazelnut and even sweet potato lattes. Cocohodo’s signature dish is a walnut-shaped pastry with a sweet filling and walnuts baked inside. For those allergic to nuts, Cocohodo offers a variety of delicious shaved ice desserts that vary in flavor and are sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth.