Entry #10: Phoenix's Climate

    The weather in Phoenix can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, the endless days of sunshine are amazing for outdoor activities and mean you rarely have to cancel plans because of rain. It's perfect for anyone who loves a predictable, warm climate. But on the flip side, the summers here are no joke. The heat can be overwhelming, sometimes even dangerous if you're not careful. It's like living in an oven from April through September, and you find yourself timing errands to avoid the midday heat.

    I have to admit, though, there's something about the desert heat that's kind of uplift. It pushes you to find new ways to stay cool, like discovering that perfect swimming hole or just holding the siesta lifestyle. And there's a certain satisfaction that comes with surviving a Phoenix summer; it feels like a badge of honor. Plus, the winters are so favorable and nice, it almost makes up for the summer's intensity.

    Yet, even with the intense heat, the weather here has a way of simplifying life. It brings down your closet to the essentials and encourages a simple lifestyle. There's a clarity in the air, a brightness that makes the world seem a bit more vivid. And when those rare storms arrive and break the routine of blue skies, the desert comes alive in a way that's absolutely incredible. The smell of rain on hot asphalt, the thunder echoing off the mountains—it's dramatic and beautiful, and it never fails to remind me why Phoenix weather is special in its own right.

Entry #8: Body Shaming

    Body shaming has become a pervasive issue in today's society, and it's something that deeply affects people of all ages. It's sad to see how the standards of beauty, often continue by media, can lead to an huge pressure to fit into a narrow mold. This constant view over our body can lead to a lack of self-esteem and mental health issues. I've seen friends and family struggle with their self-image, even I have struggled with this problem. It's shocking how the impact those negative comments and societal expectations can have on our well-being.

    The invisibility of social media platforms seems to have increased the problem, giving people the means to voice their negative opinions without considering the consequences. It's sad to see how people normalize body shaming online now days, with people hiding behind screens, not realizing that their words can have a lasting effect on someone's life. I've experienced this toxic culture seep into everyday conversations as well, where casual comments about weight or appearance are made without a second thought. It's a reminder that body shaming isn't just a virtual issue, it happens in our daily interactions.

    What is also concerning is the internalization of these negative perceptions. It's not uncommon for people, including myself, to internalize the criticism and engage in self-body shaming. This internal dialogue can be just as damaging, if not more so, than the comments from other people. It's a cycle that's hard to break, but I believe that awareness and promoting body positivity are key steps in starting a change. By embracing diversity in body types and challenging the harmful stereotypes.

Entry #7: Hashtags

    Hashtags are like labels or tags people use on social media to organize and categorize their content. They start with a "#" symbol, followed by a word or phrase. When you click on a hashtag, it brings up all the posts related to that topic. Hashtags help discover new content, connect with similar people, and join in on trending conversations. The most common places to see hashtags these days are Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (now called X).

    Personally, I don't use hashtags when I post on my social media, but I have used them before. For example, me and my friends created a TikTok account during our senior year of high school, just to have fun. When we were about to post our tiktoks, we added a couple of hashtags to help it go viral, like #fyp, #friends, #funny, #trending, etc. We also added a couple of hashtags in Spanish since our content was mostly in Spanish.

    When I see hashtags in my social media, I see how they relate culturally, politically, professionally, and socially. Hashtags are like a powerful tool that can start movements, spread awareness on important issues, and even influence elections. Also, they help businesses and people grow their brands and connect with their customers. They have created communities and brought people together over shared interests or causes. Even though they are not as trending and usual as back in the day, they are a way for voices to be heard and stories to be shared on a global stage.