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WELCOME TO THE MOUNTAIN VIEW'S HOLIDAY EDITION!

Enjoy the spirit of the season!

Please scroll through the articles below and enjoy our winter holiday mini-edition! We are excited to bring to you our ISSUES edition, coming in January. Stay Tuned!

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December Articles: About
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HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD!

Dayana Lara

So many different holidays are going to be celebrated this winter all around the globe. Holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, and Winter Solstice. These holidays are celebrated by millions of people all over the world. So, I’m going to tell you about who celebrates them and when. 
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival. Hanukkah is celebrated on December 10th to the 18th. At Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditional Christmas decorations often can be admired and festive celebrations can be joined in most countries, even in many of the countries where Christianity is not the religion of the majority of people. Christmas Eve is on the 24th of December and Chritsmas day is on the 25th of December. Kwanzaa was created for and is celebrated by Black Americans. Although it waned in popularity following its peak during the 1980s and 1990s, the holiday is still annually celebrated by millions of Americans. It is also celebrated by Black people in Canada and the Caribbean. Kwanzaa is celebrated on December 26 to January 1st. Las Posadas, a religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 and 24. Las Posadas commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus. Winter solstice occurs on December 21st.  It is celebrated with festivals, spending time with loved ones, feasting, singing, dancing, and fires. It is celebrated by various cultures. 
These are the beautiful holidays that will be celebrated this winter. Of course, there are still many more holidays around the world but these are the most known. So, this winter I hope you are able to enjoy your holidays and remember that others may have a different holiday they celebrate.

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SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: A GUIDE TO A STRESSFUL FAMILY

Hannah Mae Fuentes and Eli Kromer


With the upcoming holidays, many will be experiencing my favorite part of being off: family time. Many may cringe upon that phrase that easily brings eye-rolls aplenty. To those who need the skills to make it through the two-week break, follow along for tips and tricks on how to stay sane when dealing with family to the extreme!


Take time to de-stress 

Time with family can come with a lot of pressure and tension. Some ways to alleviate stress include: taking slow breaths and using breathing exercises. More stress creates anxiety and opens up to the possibilities of panic attacks and all that other messy business. Take time to destress when you need it! You can take the time to drink a good cup of tea, take a hot bath, meditate, exercise, or listen to your favorite music! It’s different for everybody- just know what helps to destress you and do it!


Know your limits

One way to know and stay true to your limits is to develop a code word. A code word should be common enough to not be noticed by the stress source, but also strong enough to not be said too many times during a conversation. This needs to be introduced to your family and friends that you are comfortable with. This could also be a hand movement like finger guns or an expression, such as a wink. It just needs to be noticeable by those who know. Once you’ve developed this, you can explain that when the signal has been given you need to escape. Pro tip: always have an escape route in mind. 


Stay away from sensitive topics

An example of this could be avoiding conversations about romantic relationships, physical appearance, or politics. It’s always a good idea to avoid past family issues. Know what could start negative conversations. Be mindful of what can offend others and what could easily start a fight.


Don’t expect people to change

Sadly, you just have to keep in mind that most people will not change for the better. Of course, this will not always be the case. Just don’t be too hopeful and understand that most people are set in their ways. 


Put the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional

When things seem to be getting tough, find a fun family activity. This could include:

  • Painting or Drawing A Common and Easy Object. 

  • Playing a board game 

  • Clothes shopping

  • Going out for a movie 

  • Bowling

  • Attempt to make a family recipe

We hope the article has been able to help you figure out ways to stay sane through the upcoming insanity and survive the holidays. If this has not bought a helpful way to cope with family, look up other ways to deal with a stressful family as there are many informative websites on this topic and do your best to take care of yourself and advocate for yourself and your needs all season long!

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WHERE DID THE CHRISTMAS TREE COME FROM?

By Michelle Bahena

Christmas, a joyful time where families come together and celebrate. Putting up the Christmas tree is essential when starting the holidays, but where does it come from? 


The modern Christmas tree originated in Germany. It was called the paradise tree and was often decorated with apples which symbolized the Garden of Eden. As the time passed, Germans and other Europeans gradually added more things like wafers, symbolizing the Christian sign of redemption, that were later replaced with cookies of various shapes. Candles would also be added to represent Christ, who is, in the Christian tradition, the light of the world. Usually, next to this tree you would find the Christmas pyramid. The Christmas pyramid was a triangular piece of wood with shelves that held small figurines, evergreens, candles and a star. The Paradise tree and the Christmas pyramid unified by the 16th century and became the Christmas tree. 

By the 18th century the Christmas tree spread among German Lutherans. In the early 19th century the Christmas tree was introduced to England. It was popularized in the mid 19th century by Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert. 

As time passed, the Christmas tree spread far and wide. Different decorations were added as they got to different regions of the world. 

In the 1870s ,the production and distribution of blown glass ornaments was introduced. These ornaments were sold in the United states and Britain. Small workshops that produced these ornaments would also sell decorations created using tinsel, beads, cast lead, cotton batting, and pressed paper. By the 1890s $25 million worth of ornaments were sold by F.W. Woolworth. At the same time, strings of electric lights were also available to hang around the tree. Trees made of brush bristles were made in the US and the mass production of PVC plastic trees and aluminum trees started in the 1950- 1960s. Plastic trees became popular very quickly especially in countries where natural trees were hard to find. 

Since then, the Christmas tree is a common symbol we see around the world decorated in unique and beautiful ways to represent all of the meanings of the seaon.

Happy Holidays!

December Articles: Featured Work

YOUR HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS LIST!

By Angelina Lourdes Valdez, Alyssa Bautista,  and Julius Gunn

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! After what felt like a long year for some people, it is finally December! It’s starting to get more cold and all the stores are beginning to only play Christmas and holiday songs, it really is the best! It’s safe to say that school has been very stressful and things still might not feel normal for any of us but the holidays are here! The end of the year is approaching quickly and we wanted to know what the students at East Tech have on their Christmas lists. 

What are YOU looking forward to during Christmas this year? 

After giving out a survey to different classes in our school, we asked them what they’re most looking forward to. A majority of the answers were very similar and they expressed that they were excited about being able to spend more time with their family. The holidays is definitely a time where families can be reunited after a long time spent apart, especially with people who are always busy with work. Another group of people are EXTREMELY excited for all the delicious food that they get to eat for the holidays! And we get it, who doesn’t love being able to spend time with their family and being able to eat as much food as you want? Along with being able to spend time with loved ones and getting to have a holiday feast, there are a lot of people who are just excited to be able to have a break from school. ¨Sleeping and staying in bed watching movies and shows all day cozy.¨ A quote that I'm sure a lot of people can see themself doing during the break we will have, I know we like the sound of that! This would be a great time to catch up on some movies or shows that you have wanted to watch! 


Now to the point of the article! What do the people walking around our school have on their Christmas list this year? The responses that we received varied from many different things like money and/or a new pair of shoes! “On my Christmas wish list are books or just a trip to the bookstore, and some other things” is what Valeria Pina has on her Christmas list and books can be such a fun way to spend your free time especially during the winter time where you can stay all warm inside. Other students like Brian Benitez and Anthony Garcia both have new shoes as one of the top things on their Christmas list. Hopefully we see them rocking their new shoes when we come back from winter break! Bringing it straight to technology, Emmanuel Corrales, has his eye right on the ball and has “A Ps5 and a Headset” on the top of his list and there was a large group of people who put some sort of technology on their Christmas list this year. To end the Christmas list, we wanted to end it off with something very sweet! Being able to cozy up with your loved ones is the greatest gift of all! “Seeing my girlfriend open up the gifts I gave her.” says Juan Lemus. 


As we make it to the end of the year… and the end of our article, we want to personally wish you a safe and happy holiday! Make sure to enjoy time with the loved ones that you have and be thankful for the things that you do get this year! Regardless of if you do get the things that you had on your Christmas list, always remember to be thankful and appreciate the things you have! Thank you for reading our article and make sure to stay safe and enjoy the long break we have from school! 

December Articles: Text

WINTER HOLIDAYS AT EAST TECH

By Kate Moreno, Alexa Ibarra, Nicole Barranco

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The Winter holidays are approaching at East Tech and the titans on this mountain are ready for winter break. As winter comes slowly but surely the east tech halls fill with a light breeze and a lot of holiday joy. Here at east tech, we are a very diverse school and we know that Christmas isn't the only thing that’s celebrated during November and December. For this new issue, we have come to talk about all the different holidays that are celebrated in December. Once again we are out to explore the east tech halls in search of great answers from our following peers and fellow staff.


A holiday that is popularly known and celebrated worldwide is Christmas. Christmas is one of the most known holidays and a big part is that it is represented by Santa Claus who delivers presents to kids that are on the nice list. Christmas is also celebrated religiously, Christian beliefs are that Jesus was born on Christmas day. Although most of us celebrate only Christmas, We each celebrate it differently. The majority of us celebrate Christmas by putting up a tree in our house and decorating it with lights, ribbons, etc. Another tradition for Christmas is putting presents under the tree plus leaving cookies and milk out for Santa Claus when he comes to leave our presents under the tree. In the past few years, something people do for Christmas is put lights outside their house with inflatable Santas in their front yard. Something different that everyone does is what they eat for their Christmas dinner. A student here at east tech told us that for her Christmas dinner she and her family will eat a variety of German and Mexican food. In most Hispanic families Christmas is celebrated on Christmas eve and at midnight everyone gets to open their presents. 


Christmas isn’t the only December holiday, People also celebrate Hannakuh which is usually celebrated by jews. While Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, Hannakuh celebrates the recovery of Jerusalem. Every family has its own tradition, A major one includes having a festival and lighting up candles. The candle has 9 branches and each night one additional candle is lit until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Hanukkah began on November 28th and ended on December 6th. Traditional Hanukkah foods are usually fried in oil, some including Latkes, Beef brisket, Roasted chicken,  Kugel, and Matzo ball soup. Another tradition is their traditional toys that are given each year called dreidels. Kwanza is another celebration in December. A celebration where African Americans celebrate life. Kwanza lasts till January 1. With Kwanza they have adopted a lot of the same traditions that Hanukkah has; they both light candles. Kwanzaa adopts the central symbol of Hanukkah. But what they use is called a Kinara. These two holidays have a lot of similarities. 


In conclusion, we have all personally learned something new about our peers and I hope everyone reading this has learned something new by reading our article. Remember to always embrace your differences, and that we must be aware not everyone is the same. We'd like to end this article by acknowledging how hard everyone has worked this semester and together we will all succeed. On that note, titans have an amazing winter break and enjoy spending time with family and loved ones, dand appreciate having no homework for 2 weeks!!

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December Articles: Featured Work

THE TRUE  MEANING OF THE HOLIDAYS

Speical Interview with Samantha Bigsot

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As the leaves outside begin to take on a festivity of color, the sun, with its tired eyes, takes an early slumber, and the frosty air bites our noses. With the incoming season, the idea of the ‘holidays’ starts to take shape in our little heads. Baubles and bits are taken out of storage to adorn our homes with old memories and new life while classic films are replayed again and again for the snowy season. Wrapped in cozy blankets and drinking warm beverages, we reminisce about our previous years and the joyful times they bring as well as the upcoming ages ahead of us. When pondering over the whole concept of the holidays, however, what does it truly mean?

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Do the holidays represent the time of buzzing about in a merry atmosphere, wondering what to 

gift a special someone, also known as ‘The Season of Giving?’ Is it about spending precious time on those who are precious to us as the year comes to a close? Do the holidays signify the season 

of fanciful festivities beyond anything in even our own wildest imaginations?


Though gift-giving and festivities may be what is showcased as the holidays at surface level, there is more meaning to the nature of the season of merriment than what meets the eye.


To help define the meaning of the holidays, I sat down with my fellow cousin, Rochelle Espino.

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Samantha:

Good evening, Rochelle! It is a pleasure to have you for this interview.

Rochelle:

Thank you for having me! The pleasure is all mine! 

Samantha:

I am conferencing with you today to discuss the true meaning of the holiday season. From your perspective, what do the holidays represent?

Rochelle:

To me, the holidays represent togetherness with loved ones and nostalgia within holiday traditions.

Samantha:

Intriguing. Tell me more about this “togetherness.”

Rochelle:

Right, so the concept of togetherness, especially during Christmas time, entails a sense of overall cheer. Christmas is basically my excuse to hang out with my family while showering them with presents to show my appreciation. I also love how that is reciprocated in the opposite sense. Overall, the atmosphere during Christmas time brings everyone together in a mutual cheery-like state. 

Samantha:

So, togetherness essentially means being happy with those you love and who reciprocate that love?

Rochelle:

In a sense, yes. However, it is also the fact that I’m there in their presence. Everyone is present; they’re not on their phones or distracted by something going on in school, they’re simply present. I’m sure that everyone is more connected in that aspect. 

Samantha:

Well stated! I agree with your viewpoint about togetherness meaning being in the moment. There is a stark difference between being together and having togetherness. 

Aside from that concept, do you believe the holidays also focus on oneself, for instance, self-improvement? For some, they like to reflect on their actions from the past year and determine their self-growth. By deducing their development, one could conclude what needs to be done in the succeeding year to receive their desired outcomes. 

Rochelle:

That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that perspective before! I really appreciate that! And yes, I do believe that the holidays would be fit to focus on oneself for self-improvement. I’d say that it’s a mixture of both self-judgment and self-reward⸺ both in a more positive sense, of course.

Samantha:

I see. So, Rochelle, what are your thoughts on the superficial aspects of the holidays? You know, heavily advertised toys and brand deals that are fifty percent off, holiday music blasting on every radio station, and the pressure to give that special someone the perfect gift. Do they somewhat symbolize the holidays in a way?

Rochelle:

Right…Well, it’s true that many businesses try to push their products, especially during Christmas time, but I don’t think that they are a major symbol of the holidays. I’d like to say that traditions of showing gratitude through small or large gestures define it more than anything. Oh, and the music definitely symbolizes the holidays; how many times have you heard bells chiming on the radio? Many right?

Samantha:

Right! So, I presume we could conclude that there is no exact definition of the holidays; it is a combination of characteristics that makes the season have its unique charm. From old nostalgia to new fond memories, from spending time with fellow loved ones and ourselves, all that matters, in the end, is that we enjoy our time at the moment as the year comes to a close. 

Rochelle:

Well said! 

Samantha:

I appreciate it; it has been a privilege to have this discussion with you! Thank you for the time and input you had on this conversation!

Rochelle:

Of course, and thank you so much for having me! This was an amazing time!

Samantha:

I will talk to you soon, have a lovely evening!

Rochelle:

Thank you, have a lovely night!

The holidays cannot be defined with one definition; a myriad of meanings could be concluded from multiple perspectives. It is essentially up to us to determine what the holidays represent. Cozying up by the warm fireplace and telling fantastical tales to our friends and family, reminiscing about the wondrous memories and nostalgia of the past and pondering over the unpredictable yet exhilarating future, watering one’s growth in preparation for the upcoming year, navigating place to place in frantic merriment searching for a certain present, and surrounding ourselves with loved ones to spend precious time with as the year comes to a close all symbolize what the holidays truly mean. As long as we enjoy our time at the moment, that is all that matters. 


“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” - John Boswell

December Articles: Features
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CAN'T SLEEP? TRY THIS!

10 Tips to Help You Get BETTER Sleep!
By Emily Magallon

Have trouble sleeping? Many thoughts flood our brains the moment we try to sleep probably because we have so much happening in our lives. It’s better to have a clear mind when you're going to bed. Sleep keeps you going through the day even controlling your behavior and emotions. I'll give you some tips that have helped me and hopefully you sleep.


Blue Light Exposure


Blue light is the light that comes from your phone. If you can’t sleep before I give you some tips the most important thing to keep in mind is blue light exposure. 30 minutes before you sleep try to put down your phone this will definitely help. The Harvard Health Publishing said “Exposure to light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences circadian rhythms. Even dim light can interfere with a person's circadian rhythm and melatonin secretion.” Circadian rhythms are changes that go on inside your body depending on the light. Your body naturally at night knows it’s time to rest because it’s dark. The light coming from your phone disrupts that and keeps your body alerted. They also said “While light of any kind can suppress the secretion of melatonin, blue light at night does so more powerfully.” It’s crazy to think that your phone could be hurting you. Close your eyes and just be open to the idea of letting your body sleep. Everybody has the urge to pick up their phones during any situation so put it away or turn it off.

Routine

Using your phone at night and staying up late ties into the routine part of sleeping. Sleeping and waking up at the same time every night and day makes a good sleeping schedule. WebMD suggested “It is tempting to sleep late on weekends, especially if you have had poor sleep during the week. However, if you suffer from insomnia you should get up at the same time every day in order to train your body to wake up at a consistent time.” Having consistency with your sleep is also a great way to get started on sleeping better. 


10 Tips for Better Sleep

Here are some tips that have helped me sleep.

  1. Don’t Intake Any Caffeine

Sleep Foundation said about Caffeine “Inside the brain, caffeine blocks adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a sleep-promoting chemical that is produced in the brain during our waking hours. Normally, adenosine builds up in the brain the longer we’re awake.” There are many beverages and food with caffeine but try to avoid any coffee or energy drinks. Sometimes sleep gets in the way of your busy schedule and energy drinks and coffee keeps you going but to work better and harder, sleep will be needed. 


2. Don’t Take Long Naps During The Day

Naps can be good for you in some ways. It could help you get recharged and make you more alert but that doesn’t mean you should do it often or longer. Napping and oversleeping can lead to sleep inertia. Sleep inertia is, definition from NCBI “the transitional state between sleep and wake, marked by impaired performance, reduced vigilance, and a desire to return to sleep.” This makes you feel drowsy. That's not a bad thing but it makes you lack the energy of a fully alert person. It could also worsen the ability to sleep for people that have insomnia.


3. Make Your Environment Comfortable

When you sleep you should feel comfortable and safe. If you're asking How? Then you need to think about the things that get in your way of sleeping comfortably. Does your bed have enough room?Is the temperature just right? No light or little light?


4. Don’t Think About Things That Worry You

Night time or sleep time might be the only time to think but don’t because this keeps you alerted. Think happy thoughts or try some meditation. 


5. Don’t Think About Sleeping

Sometimes the idea of sleep is the thing that keeps us up. Instead try mental puzzles or something that helps me, think of a place, try to imagine a beach or anything that brings you comfort.


6. Relax Before You Sleep

If you're paranoid before you go to sleep then you won't be able to sleep so try watching and doing something that doesn't get you excited or scared.


7. Don’t Eat Anything Before You Sleep

Eating before you sleep can cause Heartburn which can cause you to wake up during your sleeping. 


8. Be Productive During The Day

Often do much during the day so when you finally get a chance to sleep you won’t stay up. Try to get yourself tired and at the end of the day you won’t have time to think about anything.


9. Read A Book

I know reading involves some kind of light so the best way to read is before you get comfy, ready to sleep. When I have time, usually in the afternoon close to the time I usually want to sleep, I read. It relaxes me and it makes me think of nothing else besides reading the book. After you read a little, feel a little sleepy and relaxed then finally lay down and sleep.


10. Don’t Do Anything

When I have so much going through my mind and I know I need to sleep I just lay on my bed and try to keep my mind blank. It’s hard to stop thinking about tomorrow or the previous day. Even if these tips don’t work, try doing nothing and you’ll rest easier. Helpguide suggested a breathing exercise to help you relax and to clear your mind “Lay down in bed and close your eyes. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Breathe in through your nose. The hand on your stomach should rise. The hand on your chest should move very little. Exhale through your mouth, pushing out as much air as you can while contracting your abdominal muscles. The hand on your stomach should move in as you exhale, but your other hand should move very little. Continue to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to inhale enough so that your lower abdomen rises and falls. Count slowly as you exhale.” Hope this helps you get some great sleep over Winter Break, Titans!

December Articles: About
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