My Trouble with Goodbyes
by: Emma Yee Yick
I hate goodbyes, plain and simple. I’m horrible at them: at giving them, at receiving them, at watching them, they’re all around just a bad situation for me. I think the reason I hate them so much is because goodbyes are something you have no control over, and if you know anything about me, I like to have control over all parts of my life. But at some point goodbyes are bound to happen—and I’m not talking about the “see you tomorrow”, goodbyes. I’m talking about the goodbyes said before a long period of separation, the goodbyes said to those who pass on, the goodbyes said to someone you may never see again. The uncertainty surrounding goodbyes makes me sad, and anxious, and nervous, and uncomfortable, and all these other cuddle-up-in-bed-with-a-tub-of-ice-cream-and-a-spoon-emotions. So I think you can understand why the end of the year is so hard for me. On top of having to stress over finals, I have to stress over having to say goodbye. I have to say goodbye to the seniors who will be off to college in the fall, goodbye to my friends who are moving,and goodbye to teachers who are leaving.
Goodbyes are so hard because it marks an ending. Whether that ending be big or small, it’s still an ending, and endings are scary. Endings mean letting go of someone who has made an impact on your life; endings mean having to step out of your comfort zone; endings mean leaving a place that’s been your home; endings mean having to get acquainted with a new way of living, but that doesn’t by any means mean that endings have to be bad. Sure they’re hard, but with every ending comes a new beginning. If you’ve ever heard the song Closing Time by Semisonic you’ll have heard this resonating line: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.” In order to be able to experience new things in our life, to meet new people, to live new adventures, we have to let parts of our life end.
Whenever I talk about life I like to use the book metaphor, because it seems the most accurate to me. Your whole life is a book, you of course are its author. This book is filled with as many chapters as you want, but the only catch is that you’re writing in pen, and there is no white out or backspace button. Just as your life moves on, so does your story. There are going to be some chapters where you make mistakes, chapters where you did something you weren’t proud of, chapters where your tears are splattered on its pages, but there are also going to be chapters that make you smile, chapters that capture wonderful memories, and chapters that speak to your character. What I’m trying to get at here within the theme of goodbyes is that at some point every chapter in your life is going to close, and a new one is going to be written. But that doesn’t mean that those chapters are lost forever because they’re part of you story. You can always go back and remember, go back and reread, relive, but you can never go back to that exact place in time. But in order to continue writing your story, you’re going to have to face the end of some chapter, face the end of certain periods in your life. So always remember that: that life moves on, that goodbyes are inevitable, and that beginnings are wonderful if you let them be.
Goodbyes are so hard because it marks an ending. Whether that ending be big or small, it’s still an ending, and endings are scary. Endings mean letting go of someone who has made an impact on your life; endings mean having to step out of your comfort zone; endings mean leaving a place that’s been your home; endings mean having to get acquainted with a new way of living, but that doesn’t by any means mean that endings have to be bad. Sure they’re hard, but with every ending comes a new beginning. If you’ve ever heard the song Closing Time by Semisonic you’ll have heard this resonating line: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.” In order to be able to experience new things in our life, to meet new people, to live new adventures, we have to let parts of our life end.
Whenever I talk about life I like to use the book metaphor, because it seems the most accurate to me. Your whole life is a book, you of course are its author. This book is filled with as many chapters as you want, but the only catch is that you’re writing in pen, and there is no white out or backspace button. Just as your life moves on, so does your story. There are going to be some chapters where you make mistakes, chapters where you did something you weren’t proud of, chapters where your tears are splattered on its pages, but there are also going to be chapters that make you smile, chapters that capture wonderful memories, and chapters that speak to your character. What I’m trying to get at here within the theme of goodbyes is that at some point every chapter in your life is going to close, and a new one is going to be written. But that doesn’t mean that those chapters are lost forever because they’re part of you story. You can always go back and remember, go back and reread, relive, but you can never go back to that exact place in time. But in order to continue writing your story, you’re going to have to face the end of some chapter, face the end of certain periods in your life. So always remember that: that life moves on, that goodbyes are inevitable, and that beginnings are wonderful if you let them be.
How to Deal with Goodbyes
by: Olivia Benecke
There’s really no way to sugarcoat it…99% of the time, goodbyes are awful. And why shouldn’t they be? You’re losing someone or something you love, something or someone that may have become a huge part of you. As the year ends and the time for some of us to leave grows nearer, goodbyes become more and more difficult to acknowledge. God knows I’ve had to say goodbye plenty of times, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m still no good at letting go. For my own personal sanity, however, I have to learn. After ample research, discussions, and “inner reflection” I’ve learned a thing or two about how to handle this.
Here are several tips and tricks that I know for a fact will make this dreadful process easier.
1. MOST IMPORTANT: Here’s a little secret about “goodbye”: It’s not synonymous with “the end.” Depending on your situation, goodbye could simply mean “I’ll see you soon” or even just “goodnight.” Just because you don’t see someone regularly does not mean they fall off the face of the Earth, so don’t let that idea scare you into cutting them off completely—loved ones are worth more than that. Know this, and you will never have to lose anyone.
2. Don’t dwell on what is to come, but on what you presently have. Thinking about separation will only serve to bring you down, and make the time that you still have to share unpleasant. Focus instead on making the last days count.
3. Don’t let this leave a hole. When you lose an important part of your life it hurts, I know, but fill the gap as soon as possible. Your life can’t revolve around what’s missing, you’ll be miserable. You don’t necessarily have to replace whatever/whomever you’re saying goodbye to, but make sure that there’s something else to focus on- school, sports, activities, etc.
4. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do. If your life depends on the existence of one singular thing or person, you’re not doing it right. Look around you; I’m sure you have more than enough to be thankful for. Surround yourself with these things and people instead of wallowing in self pity and loss.
5. DO NOT lock yourself up in your house. The bright side of losing things is that you can then make room for what’s new. Go out, be brave, meet new people, form new bonds. The only thing that will remain constant in life is change, so your happiness depends on your ability to adapt to it.
So just remember that the situation is what you make if it. Goodbyes are part of life, which doesn’t slow down for anyone. Stay strong!
Here are several tips and tricks that I know for a fact will make this dreadful process easier.
1. MOST IMPORTANT: Here’s a little secret about “goodbye”: It’s not synonymous with “the end.” Depending on your situation, goodbye could simply mean “I’ll see you soon” or even just “goodnight.” Just because you don’t see someone regularly does not mean they fall off the face of the Earth, so don’t let that idea scare you into cutting them off completely—loved ones are worth more than that. Know this, and you will never have to lose anyone.
2. Don’t dwell on what is to come, but on what you presently have. Thinking about separation will only serve to bring you down, and make the time that you still have to share unpleasant. Focus instead on making the last days count.
3. Don’t let this leave a hole. When you lose an important part of your life it hurts, I know, but fill the gap as soon as possible. Your life can’t revolve around what’s missing, you’ll be miserable. You don’t necessarily have to replace whatever/whomever you’re saying goodbye to, but make sure that there’s something else to focus on- school, sports, activities, etc.
4. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do. If your life depends on the existence of one singular thing or person, you’re not doing it right. Look around you; I’m sure you have more than enough to be thankful for. Surround yourself with these things and people instead of wallowing in self pity and loss.
5. DO NOT lock yourself up in your house. The bright side of losing things is that you can then make room for what’s new. Go out, be brave, meet new people, form new bonds. The only thing that will remain constant in life is change, so your happiness depends on your ability to adapt to it.
So just remember that the situation is what you make if it. Goodbyes are part of life, which doesn’t slow down for anyone. Stay strong!
Summer Bucket List
by: Eun Biy Ko
1. Relax, take a break. Do what makes you happy: sleep, read, cook, go outside, watch movies, etc.
2. Don’t forget to keep in touch with your friends.
3. Meet new people and build new relationships.
4. Travel a lot, go to the beach, go camping, go on a road trip, etc.
5. Exercise!
6. Get a summer job and start saving up.
7. Visit your family and old friends.
8. Organize your room.
9. Eat lots! Organize barbecues and get lots of ice cream, smoothies, and lemonade.
10. Go to new places. Try out new restaurants, cafes, stores, etc.
11. Have a day—or two—to yourself.
12. Get organized for the next year of school and set some new goals.
13. Take pictures, lots and lots of pictures.
2. Don’t forget to keep in touch with your friends.
3. Meet new people and build new relationships.
4. Travel a lot, go to the beach, go camping, go on a road trip, etc.
5. Exercise!
6. Get a summer job and start saving up.
7. Visit your family and old friends.
8. Organize your room.
9. Eat lots! Organize barbecues and get lots of ice cream, smoothies, and lemonade.
10. Go to new places. Try out new restaurants, cafes, stores, etc.
11. Have a day—or two—to yourself.
12. Get organized for the next year of school and set some new goals.
13. Take pictures, lots and lots of pictures.
A Time to Reflect
by: Shreeja Bhattacharjee
Goodbyes. Over the entire span of my life, I’ve had many of them. For some people, they can be scary, intimidating, or sad. But for me, goodbyes were a beginning to a new me.
I’ve lived in about six countries so far, and to me, each country is like a chapter of my life. The chapters are all part of the same book. However, each chapter is vastly different from the rest, and just like the chapters, I change every time I have to say goodbye. Goodbyes can be extremely sad, and they are for me too, but, I also feel excited, excited to see how I’m going to change.
Now, the school year is ending and we’re saying goodbye again—goodbye to the grade we’re in, perhaps your senior friends who’re leaving, and goodbye to a school year. The point I’m trying to say is that while it is very sad, we can use this opportunity to reflect back and think of what we could change.
While we’re on the metaphor of chapters, I’ve had one or two chapters which have been very sad for me. But, every time I got down, summer vacation started, which gave me a lot of time to reflect and become happier. I think now that the school year is over, it is vital to relax over summer break and reflect. What made the school year good? What made it hard? It’s important to pinpoint these matters as well as figure out how to solve these issues. If you had trouble organizing, try different methods to find something that works, and if you’re up for it, prepare for the next school year. Maybe if you are worried about your upcoming AP Science, do a bit of work in advance to be prepared. Also, it helps to think of the school year as something positive, perhaps a challenge to overcome. It’s even better if you have a reward planned (such as spending time at your best friend’s house), if you do well. You have a lot of time, so it’s easy to relax but still prepare yourself for a good school year.
Lastly, remember to have fun over summer vacation!
I’ve lived in about six countries so far, and to me, each country is like a chapter of my life. The chapters are all part of the same book. However, each chapter is vastly different from the rest, and just like the chapters, I change every time I have to say goodbye. Goodbyes can be extremely sad, and they are for me too, but, I also feel excited, excited to see how I’m going to change.
Now, the school year is ending and we’re saying goodbye again—goodbye to the grade we’re in, perhaps your senior friends who’re leaving, and goodbye to a school year. The point I’m trying to say is that while it is very sad, we can use this opportunity to reflect back and think of what we could change.
While we’re on the metaphor of chapters, I’ve had one or two chapters which have been very sad for me. But, every time I got down, summer vacation started, which gave me a lot of time to reflect and become happier. I think now that the school year is over, it is vital to relax over summer break and reflect. What made the school year good? What made it hard? It’s important to pinpoint these matters as well as figure out how to solve these issues. If you had trouble organizing, try different methods to find something that works, and if you’re up for it, prepare for the next school year. Maybe if you are worried about your upcoming AP Science, do a bit of work in advance to be prepared. Also, it helps to think of the school year as something positive, perhaps a challenge to overcome. It’s even better if you have a reward planned (such as spending time at your best friend’s house), if you do well. You have a lot of time, so it’s easy to relax but still prepare yourself for a good school year.
Lastly, remember to have fun over summer vacation!
Good Goodbyes
by: Eun Biy Ko
“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a hello.” - Paulo Coehlo
Goodbyes are awful, inevitable, and heartbreaking. People leave and things end; you are left confused, uncertain, and left with a space to fill up. Well, this is not the case all the time. There are also the good goodbyes, those that are beneficial for you.
Many worry about their health, and when taking a step towards their goal of having the perfect summer body they have to let some things go. Goodbyes to all those unhealthy foods: chips, doughnuts, sodas, French fries, hamburgers, pizzas, etc. There are goodbyes to those times sitting in front of the TV, devouring on potato chips and ice cream. But with all of these somewhat devastating goodbyes, comes the good goodbyes. Goodbye to those times when a cute shirt didn’t fit you as you imagined it to, goodbye to your low self-esteem, and goodbye to your old self.
Sometimes, just sometimes, it’s okay to part with someone. You know that one mean friend that you have to put up with all the time. There is that one selfish friend who doesn’t listen to you and just thinks about himself or herself. Then there is that one person who puts you down all the time. Well, being around these people is harmful, and when being around these negative people, it’s best to say “Sayonara.” There is absolutely no reason for you to be around those who give you a hard time when you can clearly find new friends—friends who appreciate you and make you smile.
Finally, there’s the hardest, but most important, goodbye. I believe that New Year’s is not the only time to reinvent yourself. The time to improve and better yourself is not set, you don’t have to wait the next 6 months to change something you dislike about yourself. I hear numerous people saying, “Next year I’m going to be healthier,” or “Next school year I am going to stop procrastinating.” Why not start now? Yes, changing yourself is not that simple and easy; it takes time, it takes effort, it takes realization and confidence. I applaud those who have taken a good look at themselves and have gotten the courage to admit and accept that there is always space for improvement. So take a step back and have a moment of reflection. Don’t wait until next year to welcome your better self.
I hope that each and every one of you find the “good” in goodbye, because there is one.
Goodbyes are awful, inevitable, and heartbreaking. People leave and things end; you are left confused, uncertain, and left with a space to fill up. Well, this is not the case all the time. There are also the good goodbyes, those that are beneficial for you.
Many worry about their health, and when taking a step towards their goal of having the perfect summer body they have to let some things go. Goodbyes to all those unhealthy foods: chips, doughnuts, sodas, French fries, hamburgers, pizzas, etc. There are goodbyes to those times sitting in front of the TV, devouring on potato chips and ice cream. But with all of these somewhat devastating goodbyes, comes the good goodbyes. Goodbye to those times when a cute shirt didn’t fit you as you imagined it to, goodbye to your low self-esteem, and goodbye to your old self.
Sometimes, just sometimes, it’s okay to part with someone. You know that one mean friend that you have to put up with all the time. There is that one selfish friend who doesn’t listen to you and just thinks about himself or herself. Then there is that one person who puts you down all the time. Well, being around these people is harmful, and when being around these negative people, it’s best to say “Sayonara.” There is absolutely no reason for you to be around those who give you a hard time when you can clearly find new friends—friends who appreciate you and make you smile.
Finally, there’s the hardest, but most important, goodbye. I believe that New Year’s is not the only time to reinvent yourself. The time to improve and better yourself is not set, you don’t have to wait the next 6 months to change something you dislike about yourself. I hear numerous people saying, “Next year I’m going to be healthier,” or “Next school year I am going to stop procrastinating.” Why not start now? Yes, changing yourself is not that simple and easy; it takes time, it takes effort, it takes realization and confidence. I applaud those who have taken a good look at themselves and have gotten the courage to admit and accept that there is always space for improvement. So take a step back and have a moment of reflection. Don’t wait until next year to welcome your better self.
I hope that each and every one of you find the “good” in goodbye, because there is one.
What We Won't Miss (and who we will)
by: Jonathan Barney
You wake up in the morning to the sound of your alarm clock blaring in your ear. You slap the snooze button, and go back to sleep. Ten minutes later you hear pounding on you door, “Get up, the bus is here in ten minutes!” You then proceed to cram a quick breakfast in your mouth, throw on an outfit, and get out the door, all of this at 6:50 in the morning.
So goes a typical school day morning, you leave, not to return till 3:30. This leaves you with only a few free hours, after the 4.5 hours of homework assigned every night which doesn’t include projects. Don’t we all just love this? Speaking for myself, it sucks; especially when it happens 5 days a week month after month. But wait, it’s not always this way.
In the infamous words of Phineas and Ferb, “There’s 61 days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it.” Wow, nobody could have said it better. So basically enjoy summer while it lasts, but I find that the way to appreciate it more, is to realize how much you really just don’t miss about school:the early waking up, the monotonous workload, and finally, the drama. But this does not happen over summer. I summer you can wake up whenever you want, no commitments, nothing that will influence your college life, nothing, and it is all awesome.
As this year comes to a close, I am very excited for Summer break, however, it wouldn’t be fair to go without saying goodbye to the great people of Colegio Maya, especially some of our favorite teachers such as Ms. Wever, Ms. Gardner, Ms. Yerkes, and Ms. Lyttle. Finally, it wouldn’t be fair to leave without thanking all of those that have read the newspaper, because it wouldn’t be possible to write a newspaper without such a great audience.
Thank you!
*Phineas and Ferb apparently have a summer vacation more than 1.7 times longer than ours (104 days)
So goes a typical school day morning, you leave, not to return till 3:30. This leaves you with only a few free hours, after the 4.5 hours of homework assigned every night which doesn’t include projects. Don’t we all just love this? Speaking for myself, it sucks; especially when it happens 5 days a week month after month. But wait, it’s not always this way.
In the infamous words of Phineas and Ferb, “There’s 61 days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it.” Wow, nobody could have said it better. So basically enjoy summer while it lasts, but I find that the way to appreciate it more, is to realize how much you really just don’t miss about school:the early waking up, the monotonous workload, and finally, the drama. But this does not happen over summer. I summer you can wake up whenever you want, no commitments, nothing that will influence your college life, nothing, and it is all awesome.
As this year comes to a close, I am very excited for Summer break, however, it wouldn’t be fair to go without saying goodbye to the great people of Colegio Maya, especially some of our favorite teachers such as Ms. Wever, Ms. Gardner, Ms. Yerkes, and Ms. Lyttle. Finally, it wouldn’t be fair to leave without thanking all of those that have read the newspaper, because it wouldn’t be possible to write a newspaper without such a great audience.
Thank you!
*Phineas and Ferb apparently have a summer vacation more than 1.7 times longer than ours (104 days)