Grace's Blog

Matcha cafes in Los Angeles have gained popularity for their aesthetic appeal, but they often come with high prices and long lines. With a cup of matcha ranging from $7 to $11, the experience sometimes feels more about the ambiance than the actual drink itself. Despite the hype, the matcha can be underwhelming, too bitter, too watery, or overpowered by excessive sweeteners. Despite these cafes offering convenience and visuals, the question arises—are they truly worth the price, or are customers paying for the environment rather than the quality of the matcha itself?   An alternative to overpriced matcha cafes is making matcha at home. However, achieving cafe-quality matcha requires attention to detail, factors like the temperature of the water, microfoam, and sifting matcha powder, all have impacts on how the matcha tastes. Furthermore, essential tools like a bamboo whisk, a weighing scale, a matcha bowl, and high-quality ceremonial-grade matcha powder can add up to around $70...

I chose How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown because I wanted to explore scientific discovery through an astronomer’s perspective. The book dives into Brown’s role in the reclassification of Pluto, a decision that reshaped how we define planets. The combination of personal and scientific storytelling intrigued me. I enjoy reading about complex topics through narratives as it is easier to understand.  The book is engaging and humorous. His personal anecdotes add depth to the story, aside from scientific accounts, the book is also about the human experience behind discoveries. I enjoyed how he made astronomy feel approachable and relevant. A downside is that the book can feel self-congratulatory at times. Brown is clearly proud of his discovery (which is understandable), but some parts come across as him justifying Pluto’s demotion rather than exploring the broader debate. If you’re someone who still feels nostalgic about Pluto being a planet, you might find his ...

From Canceled to Comeback How Public Figures Survive Cancel Culture You’re scrolling on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, and you see yet another celebrity get caught in the crosshairs of cancel culture. Cancel culture is when the internet collectively boycotts public figures or brands due to controversial actions. I see it all over headlines, social media, and talk shows, it even becomes a topic of conversation amongst friends! The cycle of outrage seems endless. One night, celebrities are getting canceled for their questionable actions, and the next day, they’re back on the red carpet. Does the internet’s cycle of outrage have impactful consequences, or is it just a short-lived moment of Netizen’s theatrics? As someone who follows entertainment industry trends, I’ve seen public figures become viral villains to celebrated comeback stories in record time. Cancellation often ends with a rebrand, not a downfall. In this article, we’ll explore what factors determine whether someone truly get...

From Canceled to Comeback How Public Figures Survive Cancel Culture You’re scrolling on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, and you see yet another celebrity get caught in the crosshairs of cancel culture. Cancel culture is when the internet collectively boycotts public figures or brands due to controversial actions. It dominates headlines, social media threads, and talk shows. The cycle of outrage seems endless; celebrities get “canceled” for their questionable actions overnight, and the next day, they’re back on the red carpet. Does the internet’s outrage have long-term consequences, or is it just a short-lived moment of Netizen’s theatrics?  As someone who follows entertainment industry trends, I’ve seen public figures go from viral villains to celebrated comeback stories in record time. From musicians like Ariana Grande to Hollywood stars like Will Smith, cancellation often ends with a rebrand, not a downfall. In this article, we’ll explore what factors determine whether someone tru...

I chose How I Killed Pluto by Mike Brown. I wanted to read about scientific discovery from an astronomer’s perspective. The book explores Brown’s role in reclassifying Pluto, a decision that reshaped how we define planets. I chose this book because I wanted to step outside my usual reading preferences and have insight into the scientific process of how new discoveries challenge established knowledge. The book’s blend of memoir and scientific storytelling interested me, as I enjoy narratives that make complex topics easier to understand.   So far, the book is engaging and humorous. Brown has a writing style that makes the subject easy to follow, even for someone with no astronomy background. I appreciate how he highlights the excitement and challenges of working in a field where discoveries can redefine our understanding of the universe. I hope to gain a better appreciation for how scientific advancements shape public knowledge.